The full form of USPTO is the United States Patent and Trademark Office. It is the official government agency for granting patents as well as registering trademarks in the United States. If you are planning to file a patent application in United States, then it is recommended that you conduct a USPTO patent search using the public patent search tool available on the official website of USPTO.
Doing so will allow you to evaluate the novelty of the invention and identify existing patents or publications that may affect patentability. In this blog post, we shall explain all the necessary steps involved in the USPTO patent search process.
USPTO Patent Public Search is an online patent search tool. It is provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The tool allows users to check US patent applications as well as granted patents for free. The platform offers two search interfaces based on the user's experience level, i.e, USPTO Patent Public Basic Search and Advanced Search. It is obvious from the name that USPTO Patent Public Basic Search, a.k.a PPUBS USPTO, is a simple search interface designed for beginners. It is ideal for quick patent searches using keywords, inventor names, assignee names, publication numbers and other basic search criteria.
As you can tell from the name, the USPTO Patent Public Advanced Search is an advanced search interface rather than a basic one. This search interface is meant for experienced users. It allows users to perform more detailed searches with the help of Boolean operators, field specific search options and advanced search commands. The advanced search feature helps users find relevant patents a bit more accurately compared to the basic one.
To search patents using PPUBS USPTO, follow the simple and easy steps explained below:
Step 1: As the first step, you need to visit the official USPTO website @ https://www.uspto.gov/.
Step 2: Once you are on the website’s homepage, you need to go to the dashboard and then click on ‘Patents’. Under the ‘Get Started’ section, you need to click on ‘Search our patent database’.
Step 3: Now, a new page will be displayed on your screen. On this page, you are supposed to click on the ‘Basic Search’ green button for conducting basic patent search.
Step 4: After that, the USPTO PPUBS will appear on your screen.
Step 5: If you want to use the Quick Lookup feature, you need to enter the Patent or Publication number. Afterhand, you need to click on the search button.
Step 6: If you want to use the Basic Search feature, first, you need to select the search criteria from the drop-down menu (such as Applicant Name, Inventor Name, Assignee Name, Everything, etc.). Then, you must enter the relevant search term in the ‘For’ field.
Step 7: If required, you can choose a Boolean operator (AND, OR or NOT) and enter a second search term. Then, click the ‘Search’ button so as to view the matching patent applications and granted patents.
Step 8: Now, you can review the search results displayed on your screen. You can click on any patent document in case you want to view detailed information of a specific patent like its title, abstract, claims, drawings and publication details.
Step 9: If necessary, you can refine your search. You can do this by changing the search criteria, keywords or operators. This will allow you to obtain more relevant results.
The benefits of conducting US patent check / search using the USPTO patent search tool are as follows:
The USPTO search tool for patents allows the users to access details about patent applications and granted patents in the USA.
The tool is free of cost.
Also, you don’t need to login to conduct a patent search through this tool.
The tool does away with the need to visit a physical patent and trademark resource center.
It offers two search interfaces to suit different experience levels: Basic Search for beginners and Advanced Search for experienced users.
Also Read: How to Conduct WIPO Patent Search?
If you are planning to file a US patent application, we advise you to conduct a US patent search in advance. The search will help you check whether a similar invention already exists with USPTO and assess the chances of getting a patent. Many businesses conduct USPTO patent search to monitor the activities of their competitors and stay updated regarding the new innovations in their industry.
Q1. Is the USPTO patent database free of charge?
A. Yes, it is free of charge. Using this database, you can conduct a USPTO patent check for free.
Q2. Can I search US patent documents using the USPTO patent search tool?
A. Yes, you can search US patent documents using the USPTO public patent tool.
Q3. How can I search US patents online for free?
A. You can search US patents online for free by using the USPTO patents database.
Q4. Can I search trademarks using USPTO PPUBS?
A. No, you cannot search trademarks using USPTO PPUBS. For searching trademarks, use the USPTO trademark database instead.
Q5. How long are US patents valid?
A. The validity totally depends on the type of US patent. A utility patent remains valid for 20 years from the earliest non-provisional filing date. A design patent remains valid for 15 years from the date of grant. A plant patent remains valid for 20 years from the earliest filing date.
Ms. Kashish Kumar is a content writer with a background in legal studies and over five years of experience. She’s written extensively on legal topics and supported non-profits like PETA, CRY, and WWF. A passionate reader, she enjoys books and blogs alike.
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