What Is a Patent Search — Explained in Plain English

What Is a Patent Search

Patent searches can help you assess whether an invention is truly novel and inventive, determine whether you’re free to make and sell your product, understand who else is active in your technology area, and even challenge the strength of an existing patent.

For example:

• If you’ve invented a new type of wearable sensor, a combined patent and non-patent literature search — including technical papers, product manuals, and online disclosures — can reveal whether similar technology has already been described. This helps you assess novelty and inventiveness before filing a patent application.
• If you’re designing a new kitchen gadget, a search can show whether similar mechanisms have already been patented — and whether you can safely sell yours without infringing someone else’s rights.
• If a competitor is blocking you with a patent, a targeted search can uncover earlier documents that may weaken or invalidate their claim.

In short, patent searches offer clarity at every stage of innovation — helping you make informed decisions, reduce risk, and move forward with confidence.

Types of Patent Search

There are several important reasons to carry out a patent search — and they’re more strategic than many people realise.

1. To check if your invention is new and inventive enough to patent
If someone else has already described your idea, or if it lacks inventiveness, your patent application may not be considered novel or inventive. A novelty or patentability search helps you understand whether filing is worthwhile — or whether the idea needs refining before you proceed.

2. To assess freedom to operate
Just because your invention is new and inventive doesn’t necessarily mean you are free to sell it. Someone else may hold a patent covering a key aspect of your product. A Freedom-to-Operate (FTO), Infringement or Clearance search identifies patents you might infringe.

3. To monitor competitors and industry trends
Staying informed about IP activity in your field helps you make smarter decisions. Who is patenting what? What technologies are emerging? Searches such as State-of-the-Art and Patent Watching help you track this.

4. To evaluate the strength or validity of an existing patent
If you’re being challenged, blocked, or threatened by another patent holder, an Invalidity Search (also known as a Patent Busting search) can identify prior art that may weaken or invalidate their patent. This is particularly important when your business is at risk due to someone else’s IP rights.

PatWorld offers all of these search types — and more — through our tailored search services.

What does a patent search look like?

Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Define the scope of the invention — what it is, how it works, what’s unique
2. Conduct the search — using specialist worldwide databases and expert querying
3. Review the results — identifying and categorising relevant documents
4. Interpret the findings — understanding risks, opportunities, and next steps

At PatWorld, our global searching covers all major jurisdictions including the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, and beyond.

When should you get a patent search?

Here are the key moments:

• Before filing a patent application
  To check novelty and inventiveness and avoid wasted drafting or filing costs.
• Before launching, manufacturing, importing, or exporting a product
  To help assess freedom to operate and reduce infringement risk.
• When entering a new market or technology area
  To understand the IP landscape.
• If you’re being attacked, threatened, or blocked by another patent
  An Invalidity Search can uncover prior art that challenges or weakens that patent.
• When investing in or purchasing a patent
  To confirm its strength and validity.

Why choose PatWorld?

• Expert search professionals trained by former patent examiners
• Flexible search packages for different budgets and needs
• Global coverage across all major patent jurisdictions
• Clear, user-friendly reports that highlight the most relevant findings
• Strict confidentiality for your ideas and product information

You can explore and order any of our search services directly from our search portal:
patworld.com/gb/order-a-search/

Final note

PatWorld does not offer legal advice. However, we work closely with qualified and experienced patent attorneys who can interpret search results, advise on legal strategy, and guide you through next steps such as filing, defending, or challenging patents.

If you’d like help choosing the right search, just let us know — we’re here to support your innovation journey.