Answer:
The three reasons why conducting patent searches is helpful for inventors are;
1. Saves on time and cost
2. Improvements in invention design
3. Gauge the scope of eventual patent claims
Explanation:
A patent is a form of intellectual property that gives the patent holder the right to bar others from making, using and selling an invention for a certain period in time. A patent in simpler terms is a grant that is given by an authority to an inventor. Government agencies usually handle receiving, processing and issuing of patents to inventors. The United States government through the Department of Commerce, handles the application and approval of patents.
A patent search occurs when an inventor looks into patent inventories to determine if there is existence of earlier patented inventions. A patent search is important for the following reasons;
<em>1. Saves on time and cost</em>
By looking up the records to determine if someone else had been granted patent for your inventory, you save on costs and time. Doing a patent search is quick and not so costly compared to going through the long and costly process of applying for one then realizing that someone already has a patent for the same invention.
<em>2. Improvements in invention design</em>
Analysis from doing a patent search can give you new ideas of improving your design so that it is new. This is especially important when one does analysis on inventions of a similar nature. This can help improve your overall invention design and performance. Improvements in design of your invention can increase the value of your patent in comparison to other inventions of a similar nature.
<em>3. Gauge the scope of eventual patent claims</em>
A patent search can help the attorney to kind of estimate how vast the inventor's claim will be. A patent claim defines what the invention claims to do. It is generally what the inventor wants to be protected. When a patent claim is broad, there is a high probability that the claim will cover the competitors product claims too. If the one filling a patent claim has a broader claim than the competition, then it would be advisable to continue with the filing and application of the patent, however if the patent claim is narrow as compared to the competition, it would be better not to go through the process of filling for a patent and probably channel his/her resources into other inventions.
