R&D Landscape Search
Early in your development process? We map the existing patent landscape so your team knows exactly what's already protected and where the white space is. This prevents duplication and helps you innovate smarter, not harder.
- IP-Specialised Legal Team
- Global Patent Database Access
- Detailed, Actionable Reports
- Fast Turnaround Times
- Fully Confidential Process
What Is a Patentability Search?
Know Your Invention's Standing Before You File
A patentability search, sometimes called a novelty search, is the first and most important step in the patent process. It tells you whether your idea is truly new and whether it has a realistic shot at getting patent protection.
At Virtue Legal Services, we dig deep into patent databases, scientific literature, and technical records around the world. We find what's already out there, so you're never caught off guard during the examination stage.
Whether you're an individual inventor, a startup, or a corporate R&D team, our patentability search service gives you the solid foundation you need before spending thousands on a full patent application.
- 0+
Countries' Patent Records Searched
- 0M+
Patent Documents in Our Search Scope
- 0–72h
Standard Report Turnaround
- 0%
Confidentiality Guaranteed
What We Search — and Why It Matters
We offer a range of patent search services tailored to where you are in the innovation process. As a trusted patent search company, we handle everything from early-stage R&D to pre-filing analysis.
Novelty Search
Our novelty search checks whether your specific invention, its core concept, key features, and technical details already exist in any form in the public domain. We search patents, journals, technical papers, and more across multiple jurisdictions.
Patentability Search
A step deeper than novelty alone. Our patentability novelty search evaluates both novelty and non-obviousness — two pillars of patent eligibility. You get a clear assessment of whether an examiner is likely to approve your application.
Freedom-to-Operate Search
Before you launch a product, make sure you won't infringe on someone else's active patents. Our freedom-to-operate search identifies any live patents that could put your business at risk.
Prior Art Search
Trying to invalidate a patent or defend against a claim? We locate prior art that challenges a patent's validity, crucial for litigation support or patent review proceedings.
Corporate R&D Portfolio Search
For businesses with multiple innovations in the pipeline, we offer portfolio-level searches that give your IP strategy a cohesive, informed foundation. Ideal for companies building long-term patent protection.
How Our Patentability Search Process Works
We keep things simple. Here's what happens when you come to us:
Step 1
01. Tell Us About Your Invention
You share the details of your invention with our team. This can be a description, drawings, a prototype summary, whatever you have. Everything you share is kept strictly confidential.
Step 2
02. We Define the Search Strategy
Our team identifies the key technical features of your invention and selects the most relevant databases, classification codes, and search terms. This is where experience makes a real difference, knowing where to look is just as important as knowing what to look for.
Step 3
03. We Conduct the Search
We carry out a thorough patentability search across international patent databases and non-patent literature. Every search is human-led, reviewed, and quality-checked.
Step 4
04. We Deliver Your Report
You receive a clear, plain-English report with everything we found, what it means for your invention, and our honest professional assessment of your patentability prospects.
Step 5
05. We Walk You Through It
If you have questions about the results, we're here to explain them. You won't be left with a document you don't understand.
What You Get — Our Patentability Search Report
When we complete your search, you receive a detailed report that includes:
- A summary of the search strategy and databases used
- All relevant prior art references found, clearly listed
- A side-by-side comparison of prior art against your invention's key features
- Our professional assessment of novelty and patentability prospects
- Practical recommendations on next steps — whether that's filing, refining, or rethinking
Don't File Blind. Search First.
Every year, inventors and businesses spend enormous sums on patent applications that run straight into prior art that a proper patentability search would have found in days. Don't let that happen to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
A patentability search checks whether your invention is new and non-obvious before you file a patent application. It helps you avoid wasting money on an application that's likely to fail due to existing prior art.
Our standard turnaround is 48–72 hours from when we receive your invention details. This ensures you get timely results without sacrificing thoroughness.
We search over 120 million patent documents across 95+ countries, along with scientific journals, technical papers, and other non-patent literature. Our searches are human-led and cover multiple international jurisdictions.
Yes! Everything you share with us is treated with complete confidentiality throughout the entire process. You can submit your details with full confidence that your idea is protected.
You'll receive a plain-English report with all findings, a comparison against your invention's key features, and clear recommendations on next steps. Our team is also available to walk you through the results so you fully understand what they mean for your invention.