Google launches new patent searchDecember 14, 2006 Last night, search engine giant Google launched a new service, Google patent search. The search allows users to search all United States patents since 1790. It also provides links to each U.S. patent listed in the prior art statement as well as other patents that cite the patent in their own prior art statements. The advanced search function allows search terms to be limited by field, such as inventor, assignee, or title, much like the advanced search on the USPTO website. Click here for an example of a patent displayed on Google, or click here for Google’s FAQ on the new patent search. While Google’s patent search is still in beta release (meaning features are still being tested, added, and modified), putting the power of Google behind a patent search will likely provide a useful tool to supplement traditional patent searches. Update: One of the best improvements over the USPTO search is the ability to search the full text of patents older than 1976. The USPTO search for patents 1975 and earlier only allows searching by issue date, patent number, and current classification. ← Return to Filewrapper