Novelty, Infringement, and Other Searches

Since one of the most important aspects of obtaining a patent on your invention is to compare your invention to the state of the prior art, the best way to gain an understanding of the content of the prior art is to conduct a novelty, or patentability search. Several types of searches are discussed: infringement search, state-of-the art search, and right-to-use search. Most search associates today use a computer database in conducting their searches.