How can I search for patents relevant to my research area?
Answer
You can search for patents using several free and subscription-based databases. Here are some recommended options:
Free Resources:
- Google Patents. A platform for searching worldwide patents by keyword, inventor, assignee etc.,.
- Espacenet (European Patent Office). Offers access to over 140 million patent documents globally.
- USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office). For searching U.S. patents and applications.
Tips for searching patents:
- Use technical keywords related to the invention or technology.
- Search by inventor name, patent number, or assignee (company or university).
- Use classification codes (like International Patent Classification (IPC) or Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)) for more precise results.