Individual Intellectual Property

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Inventor Websites

Several web sites exist that have helpful information for inventors. Information ranges from searchable databases to search for relevant references to sites that offer information on how to file patent applications. There are also sites that direct one to inventor groups where inventors can network, typically under confidential circumstances. Some useful sites include the following:

• http://www.uspto.gov/main/patents.htm
  Information about US patent applications as well as instructions on how to file provisional or original patent applications.
  
  
• http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html
  Searching of U.S. patents is available at a site within the USPTO and explains how to perform searches in the database.
  
  
• http://www.european-patent-office.org/espacenet/
  Free information about OUS patents and covers what U.S. patent examiners typically search.
  
  
• http://www.european-patent-office.org/online/#databases
  http://www.european-patent-office.org/new_hp/sengines/index.htm
  Other patent databases are available although many require a fee.
  
  
• http://www.uiausa.org/Default.aspx?page=81
  Identity inventor groups by state.
  
  
• http://www.inventorsnetwork.org
  An inventor group, Inventor's Network, in Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN.