If you think you have an idea for an invention that’s never been done before, you might want to double check with a patent search before you work too hard on it. No need to hire a patent attorney yet, though, because you can check on your own.
There’s no point in working yourself to the bone with your new invention if it’s already been made. The United States Patent and Trademark Office offers information on how to look up patents, but online marketplace Idea Buyer put together an all-in-one guide to make it easier on you. The graphic below explains every step you need to take when conducting a patent search, from determining the right patent type of your idea, all the way to deciding if an already existing idea is too similar to yours. Once you know the patent coast is clear, you can get that invention off the ground.
How to Conduct a Patent Search | Entrepreneur via Idea Buyer
via Lifehacker
Learn How to Conduct Your Own Patent Search with This Infographic