Title: Perform a patent search.
Course: Engineering Practicum IV (21047) > Section: Examining Intellectual Property

Search should follow the officially prescribed strategy:

- Brainstorm keywords related to the purpose, use, and composition of the invention.
- Look up the words in the Index to the U.S. Patent Classification to find potential classes/subclasses.
- Verify the relevancy of the classes/subclasses by using the Classification Schedule in the Manual of Classification.
- Read the classification definitions to verify the scope of the subclasses and note the references.
- Search the Issued Patents and the Published Applications databases by “Current U.S. Classification” and access full-text patents and published applications.
- Review the claims, specifications, and drawings of documents retrieved for relevancy.
- Check all references and note additional classes/subclasses to search.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are techniques for performing patent searches?
- What are the advantages of paying a third party to perform a patent search?
- How can you use the results of a patent search in the design process?
- How can you differentiate your idea from the existing patent if a similar patent is on file?