IP Research Processes & Resources

Patents

1. Search for patent number listed on packaging or product
2. USPTO
   1. http://www.uspto.gov/dashboards/patents/main.dashxml
   2. http://www.uspto.gov/
      1. Patents>Patent Search
         0. Quick Search http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html
      2. Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/status/index.jsp
3. Google Patent search
   1. https://www.google.com/?tbm=pts
      1. Search Tools (under search bar)
      2. Advanced Search (under gear icon to the right)
      3. Use creative combinations of inventors, owners, addresses, search terms.
      4. Also pay attention to prior art citation. This will help you see how the examiners link like products and point you to correct search terms.
4. After identifying potential patents, you can review the status and office actions of the patents back in PAIR on USPTO.

Trademarks

1. USPTO Trademark Search http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=searchss&state=4805:51dtyj.1.1
   1. Basic
   2. Structured
   3. TSDR and Assignment Status