Patent Searching on the Web

Patent search engines differ widely in power and convenience, as well as in which databases they search.  You may want to try more than one.  Below is a basic list of FREE patent search engines; for a more extensive list click here.

• Free Patents Online [US only] Allows patent image to be downloaded as a single PDF file.  (USPTO requires patent image to be downloaded one page at a time.)
• USPTO Patent Databases [US only]
• WIPO PCT Database [PCT only]
• EPO Patent Database is probably the best place to search worldwide.  
• SurfIP [multiple countries, including US and PCT]

Revised 4/26/05