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Why Do Inventors Need a Patentability Search Before Filing?

Filing a patent without a prior patentability search is like launching a product without knowing the market—it invites costly surprises. A patentability search, also known as a novelty search, helps determine whether your invention is genuinely new and potentially patentable. Too often, inventors submit applications that are later rejected due to existing inventions (prior art) they didn’t know about. This leads to lost time, wasted money, and missed opportunities. In this post, we explain why every inventor should start with a patentability search, how it works, and how it can influence your success with the USPTO. What Is a Patentability Search? A patentability search investigates whether an invention meets the requirements of novelty and non-obviousness by reviewing published patents, patent applications, and non-patent literature. The goal is to identify prior art—anything already known or publicly disclosed—that could prevent your idea from being granted a patent. This search: Cov...
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Patent Invalidity Search vs Validity Search: Key Differences Explained

When it comes to safeguarding or challenging patents, two types of searches play a pivotal role: patent validity searches and patent invalidity searches . Both involve the analysis of prior art, but the purpose, timing , and strategic value of each are very different. Patent owners employ validity searches to ascertain the validity of their patent claims. Competitors or potential infringers employ invalidity searches to attack the enforceability of the very same claims. Understanding how these searches work, when to use them, and how they influence litigation, licensing, and business planning is critical to innovators, businesses, lawyers, and investors. What is a Patent Validity Search? Patent validity search identifies whether a granted patent is valid if challenged. Patent validity search is usually conducted by the patentee or an interested party such as an investor or a licensee to ascertain the validity of the patent claims. Why do a validity search? So the patent can be enfor...
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How to Create USPTO-Compliant Design Patent Drawings | InventionIP

Drawing accurate design patent drawings is required to receive protection from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) . Drawings are not mere pictures—they establish the boundaries of your design claim. Inaccurate or incomplete drawings can result in rejection, diminished protection, or even invalidation upon grant. This blog takes you through all you need to do to produce compliant, high-quality drawings that satisfy USPTO standards.  What Are Design Patent Drawings? Design patent drawings graphically depict the ornamental look of a product. Whereas a utility patent describes how an invention works, a design patent describes how it appears. These drawings must completely reveal the claimed design with the help of: Line drawings (most common) Photographs (permitted only in special situations) Computer-aided design (CAD) drawings 3D drawings (reduced to 2D views) Your drawing set needs to depict every feature of the design. Every visible aspect—curves, contours, edge...
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Difference Between Provisional and Non-Provisional Patent Drafting | InventionIP

Patent filing is an important step in safeguarding your invention. But it is necessary to know the difference between provisional and non-provisional patent applications to decide the appropriate approach. They both have different objectives, varying drafting needs, and an impact on the entire patent lifecycle. This blog discusses the basic distinction between the two kinds of applications, provides real-life examples, points out common errors, and presents a transparent decision route for inventors and startups. What Is a Provisional Patent Application? A provisional patent application (PPA) is a short-term filing that creates an early date of invention for your invention. It provides inventors with an entire year to test the market, perfect the invention, or secure funding before submitting a complete formal application. Notably, a provisional application is not reviewed by the USPTO and will not mature into a granted patent by itself. It needs to be followed within 12 months with a ...
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What Does a Patent Landscape Analysis Report Contain?

A patent landscape analysis report is an influential instrument that enables organizations to make data-driven decisions regarding research, development, market entry, and innovation strategy. It converts raw patent data into actionable insights, pointing out trends, competitors, white spaces, and opportunities in the technology space. This comprehensive guide outlines what is contained in a standard patent landscape report and how each aspect provides strategic benefit. We'll also discuss real-world use, case examples, and FAQs to enable you to truly comprehend the report's potential. Introduction to Patent Landscape Analysis Patent landscape analysis is the systematic study of patent data within a specific technology domain, product category, or scientific field. It provides a high-level overview of the innovation landscape, identifying who owns what, where innovation is happening, and what directions technology is taking. For firms that invest in R&D, introd...
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How to Conduct a Product Clearance Search Before Launching a Product

Launching a new product is exciting—but before you spend a cent on manufacturing or marketing, there’s a critical step that often goes overlooked: the product clearance search. A product clearance search—also known as a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search—helps ensure your product doesn’t infringe on someone else’s intellectual property. Skipping this can lead to cease-and-desist orders, lawsuits, or complete product recalls. In this guide, you'll learn the complete process for conducting a product clearance search, why it's vital, and when to bring in legal experts. What Is a Product Clearance Search? A product clearance search is a legal and strategic process that checks whether your product may infringe on any active intellectual property (IP) rights. It involves: Searching for existing trademarks Checking for relevant patents Verifying potential copyright issues The goal is to identify conflic...
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