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Indian Patent Search

An Indian Patent Search examines published patents and applications to check whether an invention is novel before you file. We...

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Key takeaways

A patent search checks whether your invention is new and non-obvious before you invest in filing under the Patents Act, 1970.
Searches are run on the Indian Patent Office databases (InPASS) and global sources such as Espacenet, WIPO PATENTSCOPE and Google Patents.
Common types include patentability (novelty), freedom-to-operate, validity and infringement searches.
The patent system is administered by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM).
A good search lowers the risk of rejection, objections and wasted filing fees, and sharpens your claims.
It does not grant any right; it informs strategy, drafting and the decision to file a provisional or complete specification.

Overview

What is an Indian Patent Search?

An Indian Patent Search is a structured review of existing patents, published applications and other technical literature to find out whether your invention is already known. This existing body of knowledge is called prior art, and an invention can only be patented in India if it is novel, involves an inventive step and is capable of industrial application under the Patents Act, 1970.

The search tells you, before you spend on drafting and official fees, how crowded your field is, what claims are likely to survive examination, and how to position your invention to stand the best chance of grant. It is the single most cost-effective step in any patent strategy.

What a search looks at

Granted Indian patents and published applications
Foreign patents and PCT international applications
Scientific papers, journals and technical disclosures
Product manuals, catalogues and public usage
Conference proceedings and standards documents
Earlier filings claimed as priority anywhere in the world

Types of search

Kinds of patent search

The right search depends on your goal, whether you are about to file, planning to launch a product, or assessing a competitor’s patent.

Search type	Purpose
Patentability / Novelty	Checks whether the invention is new and inventive enough to be patented before filing.
Freedom-to-Operate (FTO)	Identifies in-force patents you might infringe when launching a product in India.
Validity / Invalidity	Examines prior art to support or challenge the validity of a granted patent.

Search type	Purpose
State-of-the-Art	Maps the broad technology landscape for R&D and product planning.
Infringement	Assesses whether a specific product or process falls within another’s claims.
Patent landscape	Surveys filing trends, key players and white spaces in a technology area.

Who needs it

Who should run a patent search?

Inventors

Confirm your idea is new before spending on drafting and filing fees.

Startups

Validate novelty for investors and build a defensible IP position early.

R&D teams

Map the state of the art and avoid duplicating work that is already protected.

Manufacturers

Run a freedom-to-operate check before commercialising a product in India.

Universities

Assess inventions from research before technology transfer or licensing.

Litigants

Build validity or invalidity evidence in opposition, revocation or infringement matters.

Why it matters

Why search before you file

Patent prosecution in India is examined on merit. The Controller will cite prior art against your claims, and a single relevant document can sink an application after you have already paid the fees. Searching first lets you decide whether to file at all, and how to draft claims that survive examination.

What a search helps you avoid

Wasted filing fees on inventions that are not novel.
First Examination Report objections from cited prior art.
Narrow or weak claims that competitors can design around.
Infringement exposure when launching without an FTO check.

How it works

The search process, step by step

We combine the official Indian Patent Office databases with leading global sources to give you a defensible, well-documented result.

What we do

Understand the invention
We study your disclosure and identify the key features, technical effect and likely claim scope.
Build the strategy
We map keywords, synonyms and the relevant IPC/CPC classification codes for the technology.
Run the search
We search InPASS, Espacenet, WIPO PATENTSCOPE, Google Patents and non-patent literature.
Analyse and report
We assess the closest prior art, give an opinion on patentability and recommend next steps.

Where we search

InPASS
The Indian Patent Office’s public search system for Indian patents and published applications.
Espacenet
The European Patent Office database covering patents from across the world.
WIPO PATENTSCOPE
International PCT applications and national collections maintained by WIPO.
Non-patent literature
Journals, theses, standards and product disclosures that count as prior art.

Paperwork

What we need from you

A clear description of the invention and how it works
Drawings, diagrams or flowcharts, where available
The technical problem solved and the advantage over existing solutions
Any known similar products, patents or publications
The field of use and intended application
Details of any prior public disclosure or earlier filing

What you get

The search report

A list of the closest prior-art references with citations
A feature-by-feature comparison against your invention
A reasoned opinion on novelty and inventive step
Recommendations on claim scope and filing strategy

Protecting other IP too? See our Trademark Registration and Copyright Registration services.

Timeline & cost

Turnaround & cost factors

A patent search is a professional service, not a government filing, so there is no statutory fee. The cost and timeline depend on the depth of search and the complexity of the technology.

Factor	Details
Type of search	A quick novelty check is faster and cheaper than a full FTO or validity search.
Technology complexity	Densely patented fields and intricate inventions need deeper analysis.
Databases covered	Indian-only versus worldwide patent and non-patent literature.
Typical turnaround	A focused search is usually delivered within a few working days.

Have an invention in mind?

Share a short description and we will run a patentability search and tell you, plainly, whether it is worth filing.

Get a free assessment

Why it matters

Benefits of a patent search

Confidence to file

Know your invention’s novelty position before committing time and fees.

Stronger claims

Draft around the prior art so your claims are broad yet defensible.

Cost savings

Avoid spending on applications likely to be rejected at examination.

Risk reduction

Spot infringement risks early with a freedom-to-operate check.

Better strategy

Understand competitors and white spaces to guide R&D and investment.

Faster grant

Fewer objections at examination mean a smoother route to grant.

Why Diligence

Why choose Diligence Certifications

Searches run by people who understand both the technology and the Patents Act, 1970
Coverage across Indian and international patent and non-patent databases
Clear, reasoned reports you can act on, not just a list of links
A single team that can carry you through to drafting and filing if you proceed
Confidential handling of your invention disclosure at every stage
Practical advice on claim scope, jurisdictions and filing route

Not sure which search you need?

Tell us your goal, whether to file, launch or challenge a patent, and we will recommend the right search and scope.

Talk to an IP expert

Official source

Patent records and search facilities are maintained by Intellectual Property India.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is an Indian patent search?

It is a structured review of existing patents, published applications and technical literature to check whether your invention is new and inventive before you file under the Patents Act, 1970. It identifies prior art that could be cited against your claims.

Is a patent search mandatory before filing?

No, it is not legally mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. A search lowers the risk of rejection and objections, sharpens your claims and helps you decide whether filing is worthwhile.

Which databases are used for the search?

We search the Indian Patent Office’s InPASS system along with global sources such as Espacenet, WIPO PATENTSCOPE and Google Patents, plus non-patent literature like journals and product disclosures.

Can I run a free patent search myself?

You can run basic keyword searches on InPASS and Google Patents for free, but a professional search uses classification codes, synonyms and structured analysis to find prior art that simple keyword searches usually miss.

What is the difference between a patentability and a freedom-to-operate search?

A patentability search checks whether your invention is novel enough to be patented, while a freedom-to-operate search checks whether launching your product might infringe patents that are still in force in India.

Does a patent search guarantee my patent will be granted?

No search can guarantee grant, because examination depends on the Controller’s assessment and prior art that may not be public at the time. A thorough search significantly improves your chances and reduces surprises.

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