IIP Search Blogs

Innovation is the key to advancement. Whether you are an independent inventor, a new venture, or an established business, safeguarding your concepts is paramount. But prior to investing in a patent application, there is one important question to be resolved: Is your invention novel? That's where a patentability search is useful. This will help ensure that your invention stands a good chance of being patented as it identifies prior art that could undermine its novelty. In this 2025 guide, we will define what a patentability search is, why it's more important than ever, the advantages it presents, how it is done, and when to employ it. We will also include practical examples, case studies, and FAQs to illustrate its true-world relevance. What Is a Patentability Search? A patentability search , or novelty search, is the procedure of examining current patents and non-patent literature to determine whether an invention is novel and non-obvious. Patent offices such as the USPTO, EPO,...

When it comes to securing intellectual property rights, inventors and businesses face a critical decision—choosing the right type of patent search. Among the most common are the patentability search and the knockout patent search . At first glance, both may appear similar since they deal with prior art. However, their depth, cost, timing, and ultimate purpose differ significantly. This blog explores these differences in detail. We will look at when each type of search is most useful, highlight case studies, and address frequently asked questions. By the end, you’ll have clarity on which search best suits your needs. What Is a Patentability Search? A patentability search is an in-depth investigation into whether an invention meets the core requirements for patent protection— novelty , non-obviousness , and industrial applicability . This type of search goes beyond a surface-level check. It examines worldwide databases, including: Granted patents Published applications Sci...