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Standard Package - Prior Art Search Overview

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Standard - Patent Attorney Guided - Do-it-Yourself

$50 *

A prior art search involves looking for any inventions or technologies that disclose your idea before the filing date of your patent application. It probably would be clearer if the United States Patent Office called it ‘prior invention’ search rather than ‘prior art’ search. Nonetheless, anything that is disclosed in a printed publication in the United States or anywhere in the whole world can serve as prior inventions. This includes websites, university thesis papers, and white papers. Also, anything related to your invention that was publicly disclosed, offered for sale, or publicly known by you or others prior to the filing date of your patent application can be considered prior inventions in many instances. In the United States, it might be possible to ‘swear’ behind some kinds of prior inventions through a sworn affidavit if it is shown that your invention date is before the publication or filing date of a prior invention.

It is not necessary to conduct a prior invention search before filing your patent application. However, sometimes it is a good idea to do so to make sure you are using your money wisely to protect the inventions that have the greatest chance of making it through the patent office as granted patents. Any prior inventions that you discover must be submitted to the patent office if you decide to file a utility patent application. Otherwise, any resulting patent might later be invalidated).

In the Standard Package, trained U.S. patent attorneys and search specialists provide you with expert tips for searching for prior art. You receive the knowledge and tools you need to conduct a proper prior art search in a cost- effective fashion entirely online and by yourself. In the long run, these tips can help you decide what ideas you really want to spend money on protecting, and which ones you don't.

Get started on your Prior Art Search today!

Four Easy Steps
Step 1 Complete our simple online questionnaire to make sure you know what exactly qualifies as prior art and what doesn’t.
Step 2 Watch expert videos and read expert tips to discover the best ways to find prior art and what to look for.
Step 3 Conduct a prior art search yourself entirely online to determine whether you want to invest additional dollars into your invention.
Step 4 Patent Express will help you keep track of the relevant prior inventions that you have found, so that they can be easily submitted to the United States patent office in case you later decide to file a U.S. Patent Application.
 
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*Based on an average hourly rate of $266/hour (2006 Survey of Law Firm Economics, Altman Weil Pensa Publications). Neither lawyer fee nor Patent Express pricing includes required state, federal, or local filing fees.

Disclaimer
The information provided in this site is not legal advice, but general information on legal issues commonly encountered. Though started by attorneys, Patent Express is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney or law firm. Patent Express cannot provide legal advice and can only provide self-help services at your specific direction. Please note that your access to and use of PatentExpress.com is subject to additional terms and conditions.