Patentability Search
Doing a preliminary patentability search is recommended before preparing and filing a formal patent application. A patentability search is done to confirm that the invention is new, useful, unobvious, and “patentable”. Although it is difficult to predict what a Patent Examiner might find during his/her research, using the databases and libraries available at the Patent Office, a preliminary patentability search often provides a good indication as to whether a patent application will be accepted by the Patent Office, and also it provides an indication of the scope of protection that can be reasonably be expected from the anticipated patent. This information may be useful in determining whether or not to proceed with the expenses of preparing and filing of a patent application.