Why Is Prior Art Search Required?

Patent searches are an important part of the patent process. They allow you to find prior art related to your invention, so that you can determine whether or not your invention is patentable. Prior art can include anything that was published before your invention was created. It’s important to conduct a thorough search for prior art, in order to make sure that your invention is new and unique. In this blog post, we will discuss why prior art searches are required, and how they can help you protect your intellectual property.

What is prior art search and why is it required?

Prior art search is the process of looking for existing patents or published patent applications that may be relevant to your invention. This is important because, if you want to get a patent for your invention, you must show that it is new and not obvious in light of what already exists. Prior art searches can be conducted by searching online databases, such as the USPTO website, or by hiring a professional patent search firm.

While you are not required to conduct a prior art search before filing a patent application, it can be very helpful in determining whether your invention is actually new and non-obvious. If you do find relevant prior art, you may be able to modify your invention to make it more patentable. Alternatively, you may decide not to pursue a patent at all.

How to conduct a prior art search?

There are a few ways to go about conducting a prior art search. The first is to use Google Patents. Simply enter your search terms into the search bar and hit enter. You can then filter the results by date, relevance, and other factors.

Another way to conduct a prior art search is to hire a patent research firm which are helping in 

The last way to conduct a prior art search is to use the European Patent Office website. Enter your search terms into the search bar and hit enter. You can then filter the results by date, relevance, and other factors.

Whichever way you choose to conduct your prior art search, make sure you take the time to do it thoroughly. A good prior art search can mean the difference between getting a patent granted and having your application denied.

What to do if you find prior art search?

If you find prior art that is relevant to your invention, there are a few things you can do:

Talk to your patent attorney or agent about it. They will be able to help you determine if the prior art invalidates your claims or if there are ways to work around it.

File a provisional patent application. This will give you a year to continue working on your invention and perfecting your claims.

File a non-provisional patent application. This is the standard way to get a patent, but it can be more expensive and time-consuming.

Do nothing. In some cases, the prior art may not be relevant enough to invalidate your claims. In other cases, you may decide that the benefits of getting a patent are not worth the cost.

Benefits of conducting a prior art search

There are a few key benefits to conducting a prior art search that can help you in the patenting process. 

  1. First, by searching for and finding similar inventions, you can get a better understanding of what already exists in the field. This can help you to refine your own invention and make it more unique. 
  2. Additionally, a prior art search can help you to avoid infringing on existing patents. 
  3. Finally, a prior art search can give you a better understanding of the market landscape and what potential competitors might be working on. All of these factors can help you to make more informed decisions about your invention and how to protect it.

Conducting a prior art search is an important part of the patenting process. By understanding what already exists, you can make your invention more unique and avoid infringing on existing patents. Additionally, a prior art search can help you to understand the market landscape and what potential competitors might be working on. All of these factors can help you to make more informed decisions about your invention and how to protect it.

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