VPATAPP Alert_Patent Searches: A Great Opportunity for Inventors to Focus on What is Unique

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2017/08/26/patent-searches-inventors-focus-unique/id=87102/

Patent Searches: A Great Opportunity for Inventors to Focus on What is Unique
By Gene Quinn, Editor and Founder of IPWatchDog.com

For most inventors a patent search should be the first step in the patent application process. The reason is simple. A patent search is used to determine whether the time and expense of moving forward with a patent application is a worthwhile endeavor. The patent process can be expensive, so the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time and money preparing and filing an application when there is easy to find prior art that will likely prevent a patent from issuing. Likewise, high quality patent searches can give you a good idea about the likely scope of any patent claim that you may be able to anticipate. If it looks like you will only get an extremely narrow claim it might not be in your best interest to invest in the patent application. You can then move on to your next invention, and inventors always have a next invention.