Patent search. Before you file.
Patent search identifies prior art that could affect your patentability. Done before filing, it can save significant money by avoiding doomed applications. Free tools (USPTO, Google Patents) + paid professional services.
Start here.
USPTO Patent Public Search, Google Patents.
$500-$2,000. More thorough; legal opinion possible.
Patents are classified by USPC and CPC schemes. Helps narrow search.
For provisional filing where you want priority date fast. Risk vs cost tradeoff.
Prior art that could prevent patenting your invention.
The full picture.
Why search before filing
Identifies prior art that could affect patentability. Helps refine claims to maximize chance of grant. Avoids spending $10k-$30k on doomed applications. Saves time and frustration.
Patent classification systems
US Patent Classification (USPC): older system, still indexed. Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC): newer, used by US and EPO. Patents are classified by subject matter; narrows search to relevant categories.
Free tools - USPTO Patent Public Search
patentcenter.uspto.gov. Updated continuously. Search by text, classification, applicant, inventor, date, status. Free.
Free tools - Google Patents
patents.google.com. Includes US + many international. Friendly interface. Free.
Free tools - EPO Espacenet
espacenet.com. European Patent Office search. Includes US + worldwide patents.
Search strategy
Identify keywords that describe your invention. Identify classifications. Search both free tools. Look at competitor patents in your space. Read referenced prior art in candidates you find.
Professional search services
Patent search firms ($500-$2,000) provide more thorough search and legal opinion. Useful for complex inventions or where high stakes warrant professional analysis.
What you find vs what you do not find
Search finds patents and published applications. May not find: pending applications not yet published (18-month rule); prior art outside patent literature (academic papers, products, blog posts).
When to skip search
For provisional applications where you want priority date fast and accept the risk. Some inventors do quick keyword searches and proceed. Risk vs cost decision.
Common questions.
Should I do a search before filing?
Free vs paid search?
What is USPC?
What is CPC?
How long does a search take?
Will search find unpublished applications?
Do I need to disclose what I find?
Can I use AI tools for search?
Need IP protection?
Patents (through our attorney network). Trademarks (we file). Copyright registration (we file). IP assignment templates (free).
Patent law is highly specialized. Professional patent attorney advice is essential for filing.
How we deliver, end-to-end.
Four-step path from request to confirmation. State and IRS turnaround varies; our steps run in parallel where possible to compress the timeline.
Intake + scope
You tell us what you need through a short intake form (or a call for complex matters). We confirm scope, surface any gating issues (deadlines, missing documents, entity status), and quote any state fees that pass through at cost.
Prepare + verify
Our specialists draft the filing, verify entity details against state databases, run internal QA, and route any items needing your sign-off. You see drafts before anything gets submitted.
File with the authority
We submit directly to the state Secretary of State, FinCEN, IRS, USPTO, or whichever authority your filing requires. We pay state fees at cost and track the submission identifier in your account.
Confirmation + vault
Stamped certificate, IRS notice, or filing receipt arrives in your SOC 2 encrypted document vault the moment we receive it. Next filing deadline auto-added to your compliance calendar where applicable.
Built on the same infrastructure used by 220,000+ businesses.
SOC 2 Type II audited
Independent annual security audit covering access control, change management, incident response, and data handling. Current report on request.
All 51 US jurisdictions
Every state plus DC plus Puerto Rico - direct filings, not third-party reseller. We hold registered-agent qualifications in every state we operate.
Deadline guarantee
If we miss a filing deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we pay the state penalty. Specific to each plan and the filings it includes.
4.9 from 8,200+ verified reviews
Independently verified by Trustpilot + Google + our own NPS infrastructure. Customer success team within reach by email, chat, or phone.
60-day money-back promise
Change your mind in the first 60 days and we refund our service fee in full. State filing fees pass through at cost and are non-refundable once paid to the state.
E&O insured
Errors and omissions coverage protects you from service errors. Carrier and certificate available on request for enterprise clients.
Recommended add-ons
Most customers add these to keep their business compliant year-round.
Trademark Monitoring
RecommendedWe watch for infringing applications and notify you within 24 hours.
Office Action Response
If the USPTO refuses, we draft a professional response.
Trademark Renewal Tracking
USPTO renewals every 5 and 10 years - we never let one lapse.
Premium compliance, no service-fee markup.
Trust you can verify
SOC 2 Type II audited platform. 220,000+ businesses served. 60-day money-back on service fees. State fees passed through at cost with no hidden markup. Explicit AUP on restricted industries.
A compliance partner, not a transaction
Most providers go quiet after checkout. We auto-track every annual report, registered agent renewal, and license deadline across your entities. The Business OS dashboard keeps your compliance score visible year-round.
Premium experience competitors cannot match
Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state or federal filings. Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state filings.