Patent Search - Estimated Time Line and Costs A patent search is the best first step for a client. A patent search involves searching issued patents that are similar to the invention. After the search, a copy of the patents and a brief description of how the patents compare to the disclosed invention. This provides a better understanding about what is currently patented. The patent search is performed before most patents are written to ensure the patent application has a higher probability of issuing. The search is performed using search words classes and links from similar patents that match what the client's design includes. While we attempt to provide the closest matching product we will re-run the search using other terms that are different from the original search. It is important that the inventor provide accurate information to ensure the search finds the closest patents.

Turning Ideas Into Patents

Time & Money, How Much and How Long

Patent Search Description of Event                                 Time Est.    Cost 1. Meet with client. Product is disclosed. Retainer Paid 2. Searching issued patents 3. Patent search mailed to client                                                                             Flat Rate Total Cost

The patents located in the patent search will be used when writting the "background" and / or Information Disclosure Statement that is used for a Provisional, Utility or Design patent that we later write.

As an example the word "cast" can be to throw something, a group of people in a play, placing a vote, molding something, of a covering over a broken limb. As another example "fastening" can be gluing, screwing, joining, or any number of words that can be found in a thesaurus. A search for each of these would yield a different result. The current US database of patents contains over seven million issued patents. In an attempt to not overwhelm the inventor with over seven million document we try to provide between five and twelve documents and the list of search words used. While we attempt to provide the closest matching product we will re-run the search using other terms that are different from the original search.  The patent examiner will perform their own search and usually finds other patents, publications or products when they examine the application.  A flat rate of $500 covers the search, printing of patents, and a written description of similar issued patents. The patent search is used with future Provisional, Utility and Design applications. The search will include Issued US patents, published pending US patent applications, Internet search and European Patent office search.

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$500 ______ $500