{"id":5006,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:53","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/online-patent-search-overview.html"},"modified":"2024-06-13T11:07:54","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T16:07:54","slug":"online-patent-search-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/online-patent-search-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Searching for a Patent: Resources and Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Searching for a Patent: Resources and Tools<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

It can be frustrating to submit a patent application only to learn that someone else has a patent on your invention or product. Whether you run a small business or are an entrepreneur, you don’t want to waste time and money trying to secure a patent only to learn that the product already exists.<\/p>\r\n

When you have a great invention that you want to protect and market, you need to do your homework. An online patent search can help you determine whether a patent for the invention already exists.<\/p>\r\n

This FindLaw article provides resources and tools for an online patent search.<\/p>\r\n

Patent Basics<\/h2>\r\n

The three types of patents are:<\/p>\r\n