What is a prior art search?

A prior art search is an investigation to find evidence that an invention or idea was already known before a patent was filed. This search is important because if something was previously invented or published, then a patent cannot be granted. In California, prior art searches can be conducted by an attorney or a patent agent and can involve searching through databases, Internet searches, and records of existing patents or published material. The search can also include searching for similar inventions or ideas that are not registered, such as those in use in the marketplace. It is important to gather as much information as possible to identify any prior art, so the search should also include searching for relevant products, products with similar features, and industry reports. This can help identify inventions or ideas that were previously made or used but were not registered or published. The purpose of a prior art search is to identify any prior art that could block a patent application or challenge a granted patent. It is important to have a thorough prior art search conducted before filing a patent application in order to ensure that the invention is actually new and not already known.

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