Custom Research Services

Idea Research

Does your idea already exist? Before spending thousands of dollars on patent attorney fees or prototypes, find out if your idea is already out on the market.

We will search the internet to see if someone is already selling your product or something very similar. We will also do an U.S. Patent Trademark Office (USPTO) search and a Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) search.

We have three levels of search: BASIC, GENERAL and ADVANCED.

BASIC: $75 CDN ($57 U.S.)

• Quick search of internet & USPTO web site yielding at least 1 or 2 patent/product results.
• Results e-mailed within 2 to 5 business days upon receipt of order.
• Results include patent numbers and brief descriptions or summary.
• 20 minutes of telephone support.
• 20 business days of e-mail support provided after results sent to customer for any follow-up questions.

GENERAL: $150 CDN ($114 U.S.)

• General search of USPTO web site yielding up to 5 relevant patents (1976 to present).
• General search of internet yielding up to 5 products.
• Results will be e-mailed 5 to 10 business days.
• Results will be e-mailed in PDF format including brief descriptions or summary.
• 36 minutes of telephone support.
• 40 business days of e-mail support provided after results sent to customer for any follow-up questions.

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ADVANCED: $300 CDN ($228 U.S.)

• Advanced search of USPTO web site yielding at least 10 relevant patents (1790 to present) if available.
• Advanced search of CIPO web site yielding at least 10 relevant patents (1920 to present) if available.
• Advanced search of internet yielding at least 10 products if available.
• Results will be e-mailed 10 to 15 business days.
• Results will be e-mailed in PDF format including brief descriptions or summary.
• 60 minutes of telephone support.
• 60 business days of e-mail support provided after results sent to customer for any follow-up questions.
• Up to 5 complete patents delivered (PDF format).

Please note, The Inventor Guide gives no advice as to whether your idea is patentable. Such advice may come only from an Attorney, Patent Attorney or Licensed Patent Agent with whom you have engaged for legal assistance.

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Purchasing Idea or Patent Searches

How to purchase idea or patent searches?

• To purchase idea or patent searches, please fill in and fax the Idea Research Form (IRF) to us.
• Upon receipt of IRF, we will contact you within 2 business days to confirm what you require to be searched.
• We will not charge your credit card until the end of our telephone consultation.

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