How to Check If Something Is Patented
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How to Check If Something Is Patented
Worried someone might already own rights to an idea you're working on? Before you file your own patentâor worse, accidentally infringeâyou should check if something similar is already patented.
Step-by-Step: How to Check If Something Is Patented
1. **Use Google Patents**
Visit [1](https://patents.google.com) and enter keywords, inventor names, company names, or known patent numbers.
2. **Search the USPTO Database**
Go to [2](https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/) for the most current US patent applications and grants.
3. **Use Classification Codes for Advanced Filtering**
Searching by CPC codes like or can narrow results by technology.
4. **Look for Similar Claims**
Claims are the part of the patent that define its legal scope. Even if the invention looks similar, it may not be covered unless the claims overlap.
Helpful Tips
- Donât just look at titlesâread abstracts and claims
- Try synonyms and alternative technical terms
- Use filters like date, inventor, assignee (company), and jurisdiction
- Consider hiring a Patent Search Firm or Patent Attorney
International Search Tools
- **WIPO PATENTSCOPE** â [3](https://patentscope.wipo.int/)
- **Espacenet (Europe)** â [4](https://worldwide.espacenet.com/)
Related Articles
- How to Read a Patent
- How to Do a Prior Art Search
- Patent Search Tools Compared
- How to Patent an Idea
CPC Notes
This topic is relevant to a wide range of classifications depending on the type of invention. General search tools may return patents from:
- â Data processing, information retrieval
- â Commercial/business methods
- â App and system-level security