What is a patent search?
· A patent search is a search of issued patents and published patent applications for inventions that might be considered important “prior art” references when applying for a patent.
· Prior art is anything in the public domain, patented or not patented, that may determine whether an invention is novel or not.
· A patent searcher reviews the drawings and text of patents and patent applications to find inventions that may be similar to an inventor’s new invention.
· The patent searcher uses the patent classification system, in addition to keyword searching, to find relevant patents.
· Planet Patent also uses cutting edge latent semantic analysis (LSA) search technology to conceptually search your invention. (LSA may be included with your search price or for an extra fee on some searches).
What types of patent searches are available?
Novelty, collection, infringement (also known as non-infringement),
right-to-use (also known as freedom to operate),
state-of-the-art, and validity (also known as invalidity).
Click here to see our Patent Search Types & Prices page
for more information.
What technology areas do you specialize in?
We specialize in aerospace, biomedical, biotech, business method, chemical, electrical, genetic, & mechanical patent searches.
What are the firsts step to start a Planet Patent search?
Step 1: Submit the Non-Disclosure agreement form.
Non-Disclosure Agreement Form
Step 2: Submit the Invention Disclosure form.
Invention Disclosure Form
Step 3: Complete the order with your secure payment
online or offline.
Online Payment Options
Offline Payment Options
What does a patent novelty search include?
· A patent search report listing patents related to your invention in order of more relevant to less relevant.
· PDF copies of cited patents. (Patent search reports and PDF copies of cited patents are sent via e-mail. A printed hard copy of the patent search report and cited documnents is also available upon request for an extra fee. CD copies of the search report and cited documents are available upon request for no extra charge).
· A US Patent Office Examiner recommended field of search for the new invention is available upon request for no extra charge.
How long does a patent search take to complete?
A patent search takes 2 weeks to complete after receiving drawings and a written explanation about your invention.
What information about my invention should I include?
· Drawings, photos, and text explaining how your invention works.
· Information that explains the industry or context in which your invention is used.
· Company names of your known competitors or potential licensors.
How much does a patent search cost?
A patent novelty search for a mechanical invention costs $475. This price is for mechanical inventions of average complexity. See below for more information.*
Other types of patent searches are available, see our Patent Search Types & Prices page for more information.
The hourly patent search rates: $100 an hour (currency is U.S. dollars).
*Price is for inventions of average complexity. If there is a great deal of complexity to your invention (if your invention is as complex or more complex than an electricity generating power plant), a separate search may have to be performed for specific areas or subparts of an invention. Patent searches for this type of invention are given a project price quote before a search is begun.
What are the payment options?
We accept money orders, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and PayPal.™ We also use a secure shopping cart for online orders.
Online Payment Options
Offline Payment Options
Invention Disclosure Notice: Please do NOT disclose information about your invention in your first inquiry. Planet Patent will provide you with a Non-Disclosure Agreement before you disclose information about your invention if you require such a document.
Privacy Notice: Planet Patent does not share or disclose customer information or any information submitted on this website.
