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Patent Search Tutorial About This Tutorial  
 

What to Expect
You, the inventor or researcher, will be responsible for conducting your own search. The success of your search will depend heavily on your familiarity with the technological subject area of the invention.

We recommend that you take a few preliminary steps to insure the best and most complete search as possible:

  • Keep careful records of the development of your invention, such as an inventor's logbook;
  • Prepare a working description of your invention. This is for you to use while conducting your search. No one else need see this description;
  • Investigate non-patent information sources relating to your invention to (1) develop a familiarity with other existing things that may have an impact on your ability to get a patent, and (2) become aware of the variety of words and phrases used to describe similar items and technology;
  • Research the marketplace to find existing items similar to your invention.
 
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