Before filing your patent application, conducting a prior art search is the first step. Learn to search databases used by patent examiners on the USPTO Universal Public Workstations (UPWS) which are publicly available at the regional office. This event and UPWS accounts are free and open to the public. Space is limited, so register early.
A supervisory patent examiner will instruct attendees on the following:
- What are the benefits of searching?
- Where can you search?
- When should you search?
- How do you search using USPTO search tools?
This session is designed for inventors, entrepreneurs, and those who have a beginning to intermediate knowledge of patents and would like to learn more about patent searching.
If you do not already have a UPWS login account that is valid for 2019, please arrive approximately 30 minutes before the workshop to register for a UPWS account.
Most of the class will be lecture; however, you will have the opportunity to practice on our Universal Public Workstations during the last 30-45 minutes. Please note, you may have to share a workstation due to limited availability. Priority to use the workstations will be given to those who pre-registered and in the order of their arrival. You may want to allow extra time after class to use a workstation.
Please note that the Silicon Valley USPTO is a federal facility. Attendees are required to present a valid form of government-issued identification (driver license or passport) and may be subject to screening to gain access.
This event is accessible to individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation, including captioning, sign language interpreting, or other, please email western@uspto.gov or call 408-918-9900.