Online patent databases have improved dramatically in the last few years.  One authority predicts that within the next year, “a new genre of search tools will emerge that will advance Internet-based patent researching to a new level.”  While professionals still recommend the complex patent classification systems, the balance has already shifted in the favor of keywords for online patentability searching.  

Four patent searches (using basic technologies) are the highlight of the book.  Each search requires about four hours.  The USPO and the EPO search engines are used to screen U.S. and global prior art.  Step-by-step search solutions are provided that show how each patent is identified.  An incidental benefit of struggling with the patent searches is that readers develops a basic understanding of the patent system.  If the search results are promising, we recommend that the engage an attorney/agent to prepare a patent application. 

The presentations are new and the layouts are completely original.    The book makes a compelling case that searching for U.S. and international patents online with keywords and free databases (the USPTO and the EPO) is now preferred for searching patentability.   The book is recommended for anyone, and is suitable for beginners with basic Internet skills.  The author has been an intellectual property attorney for 20 years.  For more information, see http://www.keypatent.net/. 

  --Gerald R. Black