Free Patent Search: PTDL

PTDL's are located in every state in the nation.  In addition, PTDL's can answer many of your questions and even teach you how to use their search systems. 

The Web-based Examiner Search Tool (WEST) is available for you to use at any PTDL.  This is the same database used by patent examiners and any good patent searcher.  PTDL's also have assignment data and full access to the laws and rules of the PTO as stated in the MPEP.  PTDL's also receive updates every week on the latest patents in the form of the Official Gazette put out by the USPTO.  It's a great place to start. Best of all, it's free!

Online Free Patent Search: The Patent Search Engine

In addition to the PTDL's, there are also a number of free patent search resources available online. These may be more convenient for you. One of the best places to start is with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent search system. The USPTO has a number of tutorials on their site to help you begin using their patent search engine quickly.

Another great free patent search resource is Free Patents Online. This system has some great features including the ability to utilize advanced searching techniques (including word stemming, proximity searching, and latent semantic searching). These built-in features help ensure that you are finding what you are searching for. In addition, the patent search documents you retrieve are available in PDF format.

We have included more free patent search engines in our Patent Search directory.