Patent Resources
Google Patents (patents.google.com)
Google Patents, or patents.google.com, is a search engine developed by Google that indexes patents and patent applications from over 15 different countries. Unlike a simple, literal database query, Google Patents’ search engine appears to compile data from numerous sources to discern what results may be most relevant. This feature makes it a useful tool when searching for particular patents, conducting prior art searches, or analyzing portfolios.
Patent Center
Patent Center is a system located within the USPTO website for displaying information regarding patent application status. Patent Center is designed to provide public access to the dockets, file histories (also known as “file wrappers”), and application data of published patent applications. The system has only very limited search functionality, so you will need an exact patent, application, or publication number to find documents on Patent Center.
USPTO Patent Search Tools (Patent Public Search)
The USPTO website streamlined its patent search resources into Patent Public Search. Patent Public Search incorporates the functionality available formerly through the Patent Full-Text and Image Database (PatFT), and the Patent Application Full-Text and Image Database (AppFT) under its Basic Search function. Patent Public Search also offers a flexible and powerful Advanced Search function that allows the use of full query options as well as the ability to further filter a patent search by database or to organize documents through tagging.
Patent Trial Appeal Case Tracking System (P-TACTS)
The Patent Trial and Appeal Case Tracking System (P-TACTS) is a system designed for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (Board) for the purpose of electronically filing or searching documents in connection with the Inter Partes Disputes established under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) such as inter partes review, post grant review, etc.
Patent Assignment Database
The Patent Assignment Database is a searchable database containing all recorded patent assignment information.
Manual of Patent Examining Procedure
The Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, or MPEP, sets forth the laws and regulations that must be followed in the examination of patent applications. The MPEP is published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for use by both patent attorneys and examiners.