Search Patents Via Google

Try the new Google Patent Search here. Advanced search here.

DDC Comments: The greatest benefit is that pre-1976 patents are now text-searchable.  This is huge for historians, but I suspect that we will now see more citations based on these older documents. Google searches are very fast as compared to other search engines.  One problem: Google is best at finding the top-twenty references related to your search.  Google is much worse at doing exhaustive searches.  Thus, if you want to find every patent that mentions a certain term, you will probably not be successful (at this point) with the Google Patent Search.  Finally, Google does not yet have a link to the PDF version of the document.

Please try out the search and leave your own comments below.

Other useful free patent search engines:

• USPTO Search
• TACSY Search
• EPO ESPACE
• CAMBIA Patent Lens (Via Gorman at SCU)

USPTO Announces Release of Private PAIR 7.0: Live Online Launch and Training

The PTO asked me to do a press release on the newest release of the PTO’s online patent prosecution database: Private PAIR 7.0.  New features include:

Customer Number Details Online Self-Administration

Attorney Docket Number Online Self-Administration

Pending Non-Published PCT Application Search

Ordering of Certified Copies for Private Applications via Private PAIR

XML Application Data Download

Display References Tab will have two more sections of references

The PTO will hold a 90 minute interactive web-event discussing the new features. Sign up here.

PatentDocs: Biotech & Pharma

Blog technology has turned out to be an extremely powerful way for attorneys to rapidly communicate with with the world. Although powerful, only a small percentage really do it right. I am very proud to present the newest blog emerging from McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff attorneys: Patent Docs. They do it right!

The Authors of "Patent Docs" are patent attorneys and all hold doctorates in a diverse array of biotech and chemical disciplines (hence the name Patent Docs).  In addition to in-depth case reviews, the site also has a number of useful regular features, including Biotech News, Court Reports, PTO Rules Updates, and Patent Profiles.

Check it out!