It is important to conduct patent analysis or search before filing an application for a patent. This is so because patent analysis can help determine if the invention is novel or new which is the primary consideration for a patent to be granted.

A patent analysis will identify existing inventions that may block your patent application. The results on a patent analysis can also be used in writing your patent application. A basic patent analysis includes browsing through patents and published patent applications listing in the United States. A more extensive patent analysis includes patents and patent applications in Europe and Japan, as well as published patent applications through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Patent professionals, such as registered patent agents and patent attorneys, have access to databases worldwide for patent analysis and patent applications.

The Patent and Trademark Office examiner, after the patent application has been filed with the Patent and Trademark Office, carefully reviews the application in order to determine the invention’s patentability. There is only one Patent and Trademark Office in the U.S. It is located in Arlington, Virginia, close to Washington, DC.