Multi-Step U.S. Patent Search Strategy
The USPTO recommends using the Seven Step Strategy to help you figure out if someone else has already patented your idea
- Patent Public SearchThe patent search tool provided by the US Patent and Trademark Office.
- Multi-Step U.S. Patent Search Strategy WebpageThis webpage provides a strategy from the USPTO for conducting a preliminary patent search.
- USPTO.govGovernment website for patents and trademarks
- CPC SchemeCooperative Patent Classification Scheme
- Index to USPC SystemIndex to the United States Patent Classification System, which was replaced by the CPC.
Additional Resources
- EspacenetSearch for European and international patents (90+ countries) and export patents to Excel, etc.
- Google PatentsSearch and read the full text of patents from around the world and find prior art
- ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Digital Library This link opens in a new windowUse to find information on patents, prior art and technology
- SciFinder-N This link opens in a new windowSciFinder includes patents as well as other resources, although focuses on chemistry. Chemical patent information beginning from 1907. Note: first time users must create an account.
- SciFinder Webinar- Assessing IP LandscapeA 33-minute webinar showing how to use the SciFinder database to find chemistry-focused patents and prior art information. SciFinder offers the ability to search by chemical structure, reaction structure, and more.
- American Chemical Society (ACS) Journals This link opens in a new windowFind information about prior art and patents.
Additional Search Assistance
As a Patent and Trademark Resource Center, the Chester Fritz Library can provide additional patent search training.
To schedule an appointment, contact Brian Garrison:
Phone: (701) 777-4642
E-mail: brian.garrison@und.edu
Please note that the library's patent and trademark coordinator assists in the search process but does not interpret intellectual property law. If you are looking for legal assistance, the library makes available a list of patent attorneys and agents.