To do a free patent search in India, search IP India's InPASS database for Indian applications, then Google Patents, Espacenet and WIPO Patentscope for patents worldwide. Use several keywords and synonyms, search by IPC/CPC classification, read the claims of the closest results, and also check journals and products online. A do-it-yourself search shows whether obvious prior art exists; a professional patentability search is needed before you spend on drafting.
Before you spend on drafting and filing, you need to know whether your invention is already out there. A patent is only granted for something new anywhere in the world and not obvious to an expert, so a search is the cheapest way to avoid a refusal. This guide shows how to run a solid first search yourself, for free.
Free patent databases you can use
| Database | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| IP India InPASS (iprsearch.ipindia.gov.in) | Indian patent applications and granted patents | Checking Indian filings and their status |
| Google Patents (patents.google.com) | Patents from major offices worldwide, with machine translation and similar-document suggestions | Quick keyword searches across the world |
| Espacenet (European Patent Office) | Over 150 million patent documents, with CPC classification tools | Classification searches and patent families |
| WIPO Patentscope | PCT international applications and many national collections | Finding international (PCT) filings |
| Google Scholar and journals | Research papers, theses and conference papers | Non-patent prior art, which also counts against you |
Step-by-step: how to search
- Write down your invention in 3–5 lines. What problem it solves, how it works, and what is new about it. Pick out the key technical features.
- List keywords and synonyms for each feature. Patents use formal language: a "bottle" may be a "container" or "vessel", a "phone app" a "mobile computing device". Include British and American spellings.
- Start broad on Google Patents. Combine 2–3 key features with AND, and synonyms with OR, for example
(container OR vessel) AND (filter OR membrane) AND water. Skim titles and drawings. - Find the classification code. Open the closest results and note their IPC or CPC codes (for example A47J for kitchen equipment). Search that code together with your keywords; this finds documents that use different words.
- Search Indian filings on InPASS. Repeat your best keyword and classification searches to see Indian applications, including recent ones that are published but not yet granted.
- Check PCT filings on Patentscope for international applications that may enter India later.
- Search beyond patents. Look at research papers, product listings, YouTube videos and crowdfunding pages. Anything public before your filing date can destroy novelty.
- Read the claims of the 5–10 closest documents. The claims, not the title or abstract, define what is protected. Note which of your features each one discloses.
- Record everything: the database, search terms, date and the closest documents with their numbers. This becomes useful when drafting your claims.
How to read your results
| What you found | What it means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| A document with every feature of your invention | Your invention is probably not new | Look for an improvement that is genuinely different |
| Documents that together cover all your features | Novelty may survive, but inventive step is at risk | Get a professional opinion on obviousness |
| Similar documents missing your key feature | A good sign: that feature may be your inventive step | Draft claims around that feature |
| Nothing close | Promising, but a free search can miss things | Confirm with a professional patentability search before filing |
Mistakes that make free searches miss prior art
- Searching only one keyword phrase. Patents describe the same idea in many ways. Use synonyms and classification codes.
- Searching only Indian patents. Novelty is worldwide: a Chinese, US or European document counts against you.
- Reading only titles and abstracts. The relevant feature is often buried in the description or the claims.
- Ignoring non-patent literature. Papers, products and online videos are prior art too.
- Publishing before searching and filing. Your own post, pitch deck or product launch can be used against you.
When to get a professional patent search
A free search tells you whether obvious prior art exists. Before you invest in drafting, a professional patentability search by a registered patent agent goes further: paid databases, full classification searches, non-patent literature, and a written opinion on novelty and inventive step with the closest documents. It also shapes stronger claims. See our patent search service, or check first whether your idea falls into an excluded category with our free patentability checker and our guide to what cannot be patented in India.
Frequently asked questions
How can I do a free patent search in India?
Search IP India's InPASS database for Indian applications, and Google Patents, Espacenet and WIPO Patentscope for patents worldwide. Use keywords, synonyms and classification codes, then read the claims of the closest results.
Where can I check if a patent exists in India?
On IP India's public search system, InPASS, at iprsearch.ipindia.gov.in. You can search by keyword, application number, applicant or classification, and see each application's status.
Is a patent search mandatory before filing in India?
No, but it is strongly recommended. Without a search you may spend on drafting and filing an invention that already exists, and it is harder to draft claims that avoid the prior art.
Does a patent search need to cover other countries?
Yes. An invention must be new worldwide, so a patent or publication from any country can be used to refuse your Indian application.
How much does a professional patent search cost in India?
CorpBridge's patentability search by a registered patent agent costs ₹7,999 plus GST, with a written report in 5–7 working days. There is no government fee for a search.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and thresholds change; speak to an expert about your situation.