Seven Step Strategy

 Quick Start 

Patent and Trademark Resource Center  (PTRC) staff are available to provide training on U.S. patent search processes and research tools including the Cassis DVD-ROM system, the  PubWEST database, and the USPTO website .

 Classification

1. Brainstorm keywords related to the purpose, use and composition of the invention.
2. Look up the words in the  Index to the U.S. Patent Classification to find potential class/subclasses.
3. Verify the relevancy of the class/subclasses by using the  Classification Schedule in the Manual of Classification .
4. Read the  Classification Definitions to verify the scope of the subclasses and note "see also" references.

Access Full-Text

5. Search the Issued Patents and the Published Applications databases by "Current US Classification" and access full-text patents and published applications.

Review and References

6. Review the claims, specifications and drawings of documents retrieved for relevancy.
7. Check all references and note the "U.S. Cl." and "Field of Search" areas for additional class/subclasses to search.