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How to find patents: Home

Useful sources for finding patents.

What is a patent?

US Patent 4,838,234 Fig. 1

A patent gives a person a unique and legal right to make, use or sell their invention within a jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) for a fixed period of time. The patent is granted in return for full disclosure of the details of the invention. 

Patents are useful sources for:

 
  • current awareness of technological advances
  • checking that your proposed invention is unique
  • identifying trends in technology
  • full and practical descriptions of technologies
  • references to other publication.

Finding patents

Free sources of patents
Google Patent Search
Library databases giving references to patents

Getting hold of the full-text of patents

The Library does not hold any patents.

If you need a patent that is not available online contact the British Library Business & IP Centre:

Need further assistance?

If you need help with finding information, then please contact your Academic Liaison Librarian for advice.

Citing a patent

Elements to include:
  1. Inventor(s)
  2. Year of publication (in round brackets)
  3. Title (in italics)
  4. Authorising organisation e.g. UK Intellectual Property Office, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  5. Patent number
  6. If online - Available at: URL (Accessed: date)
Examples:

Online patent

Reference list: Cox, A. and Lee, J. (2021) Water remediation system. UK Intellectual Property Office Patent no. GB2591282A. Available at: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/ (Accessed: 2 September 2021).

In-text citation: (Cox and Lee, 2021)

Printed patent

Reference list: Kruger, L.H. (1989) Degradation of granular starch. US Patent no.: US4838944.

In-text citation: (Kruger, 1989)