What constitutes a thorough search?
A thorough search considers all prior art. That is, it considers all known information relevant to your invention, including earlier United States patents, foreign patents, and non-patent literature (e.g., newspapers, journal articles, published papers, etc.). To obtain more information on conducting a patent search visit the USPTO at www.uspto.gov or consult your school’s Technology Transfer Office. You can view sample searches and find additional resources to guide you in conducting your search at www.invent.org/collegiate/resources.html.
