Before investing time and resources into filing a patent application, it is crucial to determine whether your invention is truly new. Conducting a patent search is the first and most important step in this process. It helps you assess the chances of obtaining a patent and avoid infringing on existing patents.

Why Patent Search is Essential Before You File

Filing a patent without a prior search is like launching a product without checking the market—it can lead to rejection, wasted resources, or even infringement lawsuits.

A patent search is your first line of defense to validate whether your invention is novel and patentable.

This article walks you through the what, why, and how of conducting a patent search in India and globally.

What is a Patent Search?

A patent search (also called prior art search) involves checking existing granted patents, published applications, and technical literature to determine if:

Your invention is new
It has been published or filed before
It’s worth patenting

Types of Patent Searches

Understanding the purpose helps you pick the right strategy. Common types include:

Search Type	Purpose
Novelty Search (Patentability Search)	To check if your invention is new before filing a patent
Freedom to Operate (FTO)	To ensure your product won’t infringe on existing patents
State of the Art Search	To understand trends and competitors’ R&D focus
Invalidation Search	To challenge a granted patent’s validity
Patent Landscape Analysis	For strategic insights across a technology domain

How to Do a Patent Search: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Define Your Invention Clearly

What problem is solved?
What is new or improved?
What are the technical features?

Create a keyword matrix including synonyms, technical terms, and industry jargon.

Step 2: Identify Relevant Patent Databases

Database	Coverage	Link
InPASS (India)	Indian granted & published patents	inpass.ipindia.gov.in
Google Patents	Global, full-text search	patents.google.com
Espacenet (EPO)	European & global patents	worldwide.espacenet.com
WIPO Patentscope	PCT applications	patentscope.wipo.int
USPTO	US patents	uspto.gov

Step 3: Search by Keywords

AND: solar AND battery
OR: charger OR adapter
NOT: battery NOT lithium
Wildcards:
- * for multiple characters (e.g., thermo* → thermometer, thermoplastic)
- ? for single characters

Search in titles, abstracts, and claims.

Step 4: Use Classification Codes

Every patent is classified into technical categories.

Use:

IPC (International Patent Classification)
CPC (Cooperative Patent Classification).

Find codes at WIPO IPC

Example: A61K → Medical preparations

Using classification codes ensures broader and deeper coverage of similar inventions.

Step 5: Analyze and Compare Results

While reviewing each document:

Read the abstract, claims, and drawings
Compare with your invention: similar, identical, or different in inventive concept?
Tag as: relevant, maybe, or irrelevant

Create a comparison matrix between your invention and found patents.

Step 6: Document Your Search

Maintain a record of:

Search queries used
Databases accessed
Screenshots or PDFs of results
Summary notes for each relevant reference

This helps later while drafting claims, responding to objections, or even for future filing abroad.

Real-World Example

Invention: A portable water purifier using UV-C LED

Sample Search:

Keywords: portable AND water AND purifier AND UV
IPC Class: C02F
Databases: InPASS, Google Patents, Espacenet
Result: 3 prior arts found—none used UV-C LED with motion sensors

Conclusion: Proceed with provisional filing, focusing on motion-sensor integration.

Patent Search Tips

Search across multiple databases
Use technical, not layman, terms
Include both granted and pending patents
Monitor patents periodically for competitors’ activity

Conclusion

A patent search is not optional—it’s essential. It helps prevent infringement, saves time, and improves chances of grant.

While you can do a basic search yourself, for high-stakes inventions or commercial products, consider a professional search with structured reporting, competitive analysis, and legal interpretation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I do a patent search myself?
👉 Yes. But expert insight is recommended for strategic decisions.
Q2: Is searching Indian patents enough?
👉 No. Novelty is global. Foreign patents can block Indian filings.
Q3: What does a professional search cost?
👉 ₹5,000–₹25,000 depending on depth and complexity.
Q4: What if I find a similar patent?
👉 You may still qualify if your invention improves or solves the problem differently.
Q5: When should I conduct a search?
👉 Before filing, launching a product, or investing in R&D.

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How to Do a Patent Search in India ?