New tool provides easier, remote, more robust full-text searching of U.S. patents and published applications

A multifaceted U.S. patent searching instrument is ready for your use. And it’s free.

The USPTO’s new Patent Public Search function, a recently launched, cloud-based platform, is four tools in one. It combines the capabilities of these existing search tools scheduled to be retired in September 2022: Public-Examiner’s Automated Search Tool (PubEAST), Public-Web-based Examiner’s Search Tool (PubWEST), Patent Full-Text and Image Database (PatFT), and Patent Application Full-Text and Image Database (AppFT).

The tool provides more convenient, remote, and robust full-text searching of all U.S. patents and published patent applications.

It is based on the advanced Patents End-to-End (PE2E) search tool USPTO examiners use to identify prior art.

Especially of added value with more people staying at home, “This new platform represents a significant step forward in our broader efforts to meet stakeholders where they are,” said Drew Hirshfeld, who has been performing the functions and duties of the under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the USPTO.

“Knowing that our previous tools did not provide users with the convenience or similar functionality as those used by our examiners, it is incredibly gratifying to know that now more stakeholders can search for patents using the resources of four powerful search platforms in one expansive tool.”

In the past, users could only access legacy search tools PubEAST and PubWEST at a USPTO facility such as the headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia; a regional office; or a Patent and Trademark Resource Center. Now remote searching is now available to all users with internet access. Additional benefits include:

  • Multiple layouts with multiple tools to view more data at once
  • Multi-color highlighting that can be viewed across multiple gadgets and turned on or off
  • Ability to tag documents into multiple groups that can be color coordinated
  • Ability to add notes to an image with highlighting styling options
  • Robust, full-text searching of U.S. patents and published applications
  • Same searching syntax as PubEAST and PubWEST

In conjunction with the launch of Patent Public Search tool, the USPTO unveiled a new Patent Public Search webpage that includes FAQs, training resources, and other information to help users transition to the new tool. Upcoming public training sessions are being posted on the USPTO events webpage as they are scheduled.

For questions regarding the Patent Public Search, contact the Public Search Facility at [email protected] or visit the Public Search Facility and/or Patent and Trademark Resource Centers webpages. Stay current with the USPTO by subscribing to receive email updates at our Subscription Center at uspto.gov/subscribe.