A patent search helps the inventor determine if their idea is new and has the requirements to be issued a patent. Many inventors do not realize the importance of determining if their idea or invention has been patented already. The cornerstone of conducting a search for your idea or invention is to determine if your idea or invention is newand can be patented.
An inventor should use their financial resources to have a patent attorney conduct the search. Having a professional experienced patent attorney conduct the search is advisable. It takes experience and knowledge to analyze the various patents that are in the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s data base. A person without the experience would not be equipped to interpret the findings to provide an accurate search determination. Also the attorney could assist in making a recommendation whether it would be advisable to file for patent protection.
Once the search is conducted and there are no conflicting patents found, the inventor can file for a patent and commercialize their idea or invention. If a conflicting patent has been filed, then it is better to know in the beginning before spending time and money on an idea or invention that can’t be owned, turned into an asset and commercialized. Once an inventor knows that their idea or invention is not owned by anyone else, they have several options to protect and seek ownership of it, such as filing a provisional application and a non-provisional patent.