Patentability/Novelty Search - A patentability search, also referred to as a novelty search, is used to determine if a newly-conceived invention is different enough from existing technolgy to allow patenting. See alsoReasons to perform a Patentability Search.
State-of-the-Art Search - A state of the art search, considered to be the broadest and most general patent search, is essentially a market survey that ideally includes a broad-brush look at the landscape in a particular art. See also Reasons to perform a State-of-the-Art Searchand Scope of a State-of-the-Art Search.
Clearance/Freedom-to-Operate Search - A clearance search, also referred to as a freedom-to-operate search, is used to determine if a product or a process can be used or implemented without infringing a claim of an issued patent or a pending patent application. . See also Reasons to perform a Clearance Search and Scope of a Clearance Search..
Infringement Search - An infringement search is used to determine if a given product or process could potentially infringe upon any in-force patent claims. See also Differences between Clearance and Infringement Searches.
Validity/Invalidity Search - A validity search, also referred to as an invalidity search, is used to determine the potential for a patent to withstand attack in litigation. See also Reasons to perform a Validity/Invalidty Search.
Non-Patent Literature Search - Several of the above searches may include searching publications other than those available in the Public Search Facility at the USPTO. Our non-patent literature searching expertise extends to Internet-based literature, searching the various libraries in the Washington D.C. area, such as the Library of Congress, University of Maryland, George Washington University, and Georgetown University, and technical institutions, such as Georgia Institute of Technology, and consulting with foreign search companies and foreign associates in various countries.
