A patent applications search looks for applications that may impact your invention’s eligibility for a Patent. Patent applications do not become public until 18 months after their submission. Provisional Patent applications are never published unless a non-provisional application is filed that claims priority to the provisional. Thus, it is impossible to conduct thorough patent-pending research.
Why Is Searching Patent Applications Important?
Even though the patent applications search doesn’t allow you to find information about all other inventions that have similar features to yours, it is still vital. It can give insight into your competitors’ work and offer suggestions for improving your vision. It can also help you see if you have any “whitespace” in your industry.
This means it will tell you if you might find a place for your invention. The model you can use to design your patent application is found in looking at other patent applications. Do your patent pending searches. It’s inexpensive and can provide valuable information.
Patent Prosecution Specialist
A patent prosecution specialist will assist in preparing and submitting documents to the US Patent and Trademark Office electronically via the Electronic Filing System.
Duties
- Preparation and filing of all forms, Provisional, Non-provisional, and Continuation patent applications, Responses To Office Actions, Appeals, and all other filings by EFS.
- Examines all correspondence from foreign associates to ensure essential docketing.
- In-depth verbal and written communication with foreign associates, lawyers, and clients during the filing and prosecuting of foreign trademark applications.
- Filing Trademark or Design Applications, Responses, and Other Matters
- Filing all documents quickly and with minimal supervision
- Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with attorneys and staff.
- To provide backup and workflow support, will work with colleagues in the legal field and share responsibility for quality control.
- Uses historical information to create and utilize filing and retrieval methods; records meeting discussions; maintains transcripts; documents and preserves evidence.
How to Find Patent Applications?
Public Disclosure Patent Bargain
The deal of a Patent is that you disclose information about your invention by giving the government a temporary monopoly on your design. This is how creativity can be encouraged and advanced by telling your story to others.
Known by Name
If the patent number, or the patent application number, is known, then it is simple to retrieve that patent or patent app. To retrieve the patent or application, type the number in either the Patent Office Search Tool or the Google Patent Search Tool (patents.google.com).
Unidentified
If a patent application is filed, it may not be possible to find the patent application. This could happen if a competitor product has a mark that says “patent is pending” but doesn’t have the corresponding number. This can also occur if the product literature needs to be properly marked.
Assignee/Owner
Patent applications are typically filed under the name or company of the inventor. A company may file a Patent Application for one of its inventors/employees. Still, it does not have to identify itself as the original owner of the subject matter. Generally, if you know the name of the assignee or the inventor, you can find the application.
Info on the inventor
Every patent application must generally identify the inventor(s), the subject matter, and the patent. Identifying the possible inventors or engineers associated with the rival is important. A patent search can be made to identify any patent applications that mention these inventors and engineers.
Searching for Invention Subject Material
Besides searching for the inventors or assignees, it is possible to search on the subject matter and patent applications associated with the competitor company.
Frequently Ask Questions
Should I Conduct A Patent Search Or Patent Pending Searches?
Some people believe that it is unnecessary to search for a patent if the invention is already known. When you file non-provisional or provisional patent applications, while a patent search is not strictly required, you must swear that you invented your product. If you need a patent search, you can still sign the oath and obtain a patent pending your invention. This will last for, at minimum, a few more years. This status will alert potential thieves.
Are Almost All Patent Applications Accessible To The Public?
The USPTO allows inventors to request a no publication order that protects the invention. Because of a government secrecy order (often issued for certain energy and military patent applications), other patents are not publicized. Be aware that all foreign patent applicants in the US must consent to publish their applications.
What Time of Day Is Best To Conduct A Patent Search or Patent Pending Search?
It depends on what you’re searching for. A patent search is necessary if you wish to find a need for an invention. You can search for patents if your story is already in development. It is important to conduct patent research before preparing a Patent Application.
Conclusion
There are many options to locate the patent and application activity of competitors. A search can be made for patent applications or published patents. It is also possible to search for patent documents that pertain to the invention. These searches can yield competitive business information and details about competitors’ product development activities.