What is the purpose of a patent search?
What is the purpose of a patent search?
The primary purpose of a patent search is to determine the state of the prior art in a particular field of technology. According to MPEP 904.02, “The purpose of a search is to discover the most relevant prior art.” This involves:
- Identifying existing patents and published applications that may affect the patentability of a new invention
- Assessing the novelty and non-obviousness of the claimed invention
- Helping patent examiners make informed decisions about granting patents
- Assisting inventors in refining their claims and avoiding potential infringement
A thorough search helps ensure the integrity of the patent system by preventing the issuance of patents for inventions that are not truly novel or non-obvious.
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