I like google’s patent search, but I usually use it as an initial jumping-off point. I’ll have an idea for a widget, search it on google, then better define the widget and run with several permutations and varied descriptions of the widget in question.

A back scratcher might not be listed as a “back scratcher”, but a “dermal irritation reducing device” or something equally obscure. It also helps to search in terms of application or technology area. Drill bit designs would be searchable as “drill bit” or "metal [or wood or “material”] perforation device" or “method and device for producing holes in _____”

It also helps later to search for inventors and assignees – if you know who you’re trying to license to, then you can see if your IP is obstructive or constructive, and if so, what sort of position it puts you in with the company in question. Do you want to market your widget to Boeing as a leg up on Airbus, or get Airbus to buy your patent and block out Boeing from that technology? Further, are you selling your widget, or selling the ability to prevent others from building the widget? These are all valuable bits of information that can also come from patent searches.

Hey Daniel,

Three things:

First of all, Google Patent Search is fine, but the database is not always completely up to date, and the system relies on OCR to extract patent data, which does not always work properly, especially when dealing with older publications. And the advanced search features are not as good as you will find on other sites (although that might be besides the point for a preliminary search).

Second, the site is one thing, the search is another. Google Patent Search is nothing more than a tool and how you use it will affect your result. If you have invented a new golf ball and you are running a simple keyword search for ‘golf ball,’ that might point you in the right direction (spot some relevant subclasses, etcetera), but your search is not likely to be very effective per se in that, if your exact invention was out there, you would be lucky to locate it (even if you spent a decent bit of time looking through the results).

Third, Google Patent Search is a good start for pre-lim searching. For a more thorough search, freepatentsonline.com is probably a good bet, it is a more user friendly version of the USPTO’s search site. Delphion is the best out there in my experience, you have to pay to use it.

There are many older threads around here on the subject, it wouldn’t hurt to run a search…

Hi Daniel!
I confess to just doing a Google patent search and then shopping like crazy. I do the search and then try to buy it using every word I can think of. If I like it a lot and it doesn’t show up, I figure it’s worth the 20 bucks to submit. I know EN will do a much better job than I can!! Either it makes it or it doesn’t. If not, I move on.