Further advice
For general advice and information on patents and other Intellectual Property (IP) contact our Central Enquiry Unit.
Inventor advice
There are various advice and support organisations throughout the UK for inventors.
Business advice
There are regional business advice and support organisations throughout the United Kingdom (UK).
Our expert search services
We offer searches that find out if an invention is new. The searches are not part of the patent application process, but may help you decide if you should apply for a patent, or establish if you are free to sell your invention without infringing someone else’s rights.
Patentability search
A patentability search identifies any patents or other publications relevant to the novelty and inventiveness of your product or process.
Freedom to operate patent search
A freedom to operate search finds out if your idea will infringe another patent that is in force.
Grant assessment searches
A grant assessment search makes it easier for an awarding organisation, such as a regional development agency, public-funding organisation or university to decide whether to award grants to fund a project to develop new ideas.
