Skip to main content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

Patents

An introduction to patents: what they are, the benefits of including them in your research, where and how to search for them, and the patent application process

Why Search for Patents?

•  Determine whether your invention is original or has already been patented

•  Access information about the latest technologies which may not have been published in scholarly journals

•  Access detailed descriptions and diagrams for millions of inventions

•  Research patents registered by specific companies (for businesses, this could mean competitors)

•  Manufacturers can search for licensing opportunities

Quick List of Patent Search Tools

Find more patent search tools on the Patent Collections page. Includes collection details, search tips and classifications systems used.

Google Patent Search

Google Patent Search

Google Patents searches the USPTO, so your results will only be American patents.

Creative Commons License

This guide was created by Ontario Tech Libraries and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License, except where otherwise noted. 

Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License