How do I know if my idea is "new"?

You have a plan. Before you stick a tail on it and call it a weasel, spend some time searching through free databases to check whether it is "new":

Steps:

1. Search through Google images.

2. Go to WIPO Search and add a query to the "English text" field.

3. In the results page, set: "View" to "All + Image"; and "List length" to "200". Note down the patent numbers that appear to be relevant.

4. Input each apparently relevant patent number in the Espacenet database and view the "Original document" to confirm whether it is relevant.

5. If relevant: click "Cited documents" viewing all documents in this list; and click "Citing documents" viewing all documents in this list. Note relevant patent numbers in these cited and citing documents lists.

6. Input each relevant cited / citing document in the Espacenet database and repeat steps 4 and 5.
7. Continue cycling steps 4 to 6 until you stop coming across new documents. Then, consider restarting step 2 using a new search strategy.

Note ‐ a NDA can only protect information:

• that is "new" worldwide. That the information may not be known "in your country" is not relevant.
• that is not generally available to the public. For example, a processing technique that would be familiar to anyone with a Masters degree in Chemistry cannot be protected by a confidentiality agreement.

Need help with the search?

Our charge to conduct an international online patent search is US$375. The search takes about 5 business days, whereafter we send you our search report, copies of relevant documents and our suggestions regarding: what should be protected; and how to do so. All patent searches are done by a Patent Law Firm.