Q: How can I find my grandfather's patent
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
To find your grandfather's patent, you can follow these steps:
1. Gather information:
- Your grandfather's full name
- Approximate date or year of the patent
- Any details about the invention
2. Use online patent databases:
- USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database (PatFT): Search for patents issued from 1976 to present
- USPTO Patent Application Full-Text and Image Database (AppFT): Search for patent applications published since 2001
- Google Patents: Covers patents from multiple countries and offers a user-friendly interface
3. Search strategies:
- Use your grandfather's name as the inventor
- Try different name variations (e.g., initials, middle name)
- Use keywords related to the invention
- Narrow results by date range if known
4. Consider professional help:
- Patent attorneys or agents can assist with more complex searches
- The USPTO offers Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) for in-person assistance
5. For older patents:
- Check the USPTO's Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program
- Visit the National Archives for pre-1976 patent records
6. Wisconsin-specific resources:
- Wisconsin Patent Development Organization
- University of Wisconsin-Madison's Patent Information Team
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
