Frequently Asked Questions
Patent searching & PatentNexus
What does PatentNexus produce?
PatentNexus organizes preliminary AI-assisted research in an Evidence Workspace. After you Frame the invention, Search patent and non-patent sources, and Verify cited evidence, you can approve a reviewable Preliminary Evidence Packet that preserves sources, queries, dates, scope, limitations, provenance, and questions for counsel.
How does pricing work?
PatentNexus is pay-as-you-go. Every paid operation receives an exact server-issued quote before cost approval. A Packet preview separately shows the content and limitations you are approving; accepting content does not silently authorize a charge.
Is the search exhaustive?
No. Search coverage can be incomplete because of query choices, provider availability, language, date, classification, indexing, access, and model limitations. The Packet records the searches that were attempted and flags failures and limitations; practitioners or examiners may find additional evidence.
What is prior art?
Prior art is a legal classification that depends on applicable law and facts. PatentNexus returns Candidate references—patents, literature, or web material that may be relevant—but does not decide whether a source legally qualifies as prior art.
Do I need a patent attorney?
PatentNexus does not provide legal advice or replace a registered patent practitioner. The Packet is designed to help you inspect preliminary evidence and identify focused questions for qualified counsel, not to substitute for a legal opinion.
Does PatentNexus determine patentability or freedom to operate?
No. PatentNexus does not determine patentability, freedom to operate, infringement, non-infringement, legal validity, or filing outcomes. It supplies preliminary evidence for human review, with explicit scope and limitations.
What is a CPC classification code?
CPC codes are a hierarchical system used to categorize patent documents by technology. PatentNexus may use classifications as one search aid, but a classification does not establish relevance or legal status and should be reviewed with the original source.
What happens if prior art is found?
A Candidate reference may support, partially support, or fail to support a technical observation. PatentNexus preserves that assessment and the cited passage, but qualified counsel must evaluate any legal consequence.
How is PatentNexus different from Google Patents?
Google Patents is useful for finding and reading patent documents. PatentNexus is a guided evidence workspace that records an invention Frame, searches across multiple source classes, preserves provenance and limitations, and packages cited observations for review. PatentNexus still depends on source systems and does not make a legal determination.
Can I patent an idea?
You cannot patent a mere idea or concept. Patent law requires a specific, concrete invention — how it works, how to build it, and what makes it different from existing technology. Your invention must be novel, non-obvious, and useful.
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