The reasons to search for patents are numerous, as are the ways to conduct a good patent search. This guide provides a few examples demonstrating how to search for patents, especially as it relates to prior art searching.
If you have questions please don't hesitate to contact me!
Quick Links:
Granted patents and some patent applications are freely available from a variety of sources.
Watch this excellent 8 minute video from the University of Michigan. |
Key takeaways:
General
Searching Espacenet
Harvard Resources:
Miscellaneous:
Derwent Innovations Index 1963 - Present (Thomson Scientific / ISI Web Services)
Value-added patent information from Derwent World Patent Index® as well as patent citation information from Patents Citation Index