In the majority of countries, before a patent will be granted, the appropriate Patent Office makes a search of prior publications - mostly earlier patent specifications - to determine the novelty and inventiveness of the invention. If such a search reveals that no patent should be granted, the patent application costs will have been wasted.

In order to avoid this happening, it may be advisable to have your own search made in advance of committing further money to patenting. Moreover, such a search may give other valuable information such as the possibility of infringing other patents, details of competitors' activities, and technical know-how.

The extent of a search can be controlled in various ways to suit various aims, and the most appropriate search to make is a decision best made only after discussion with us.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you wish to discuss this further.