/search-prior-art

description: Conduct comprehensive prior art search using 7-step methodology across 100M+ patents via BigQuery
allowed-tools: Bash, Read, Write

Search for Prior Art

Professional patent prior art search with patentability assessment.

What This Command Does

Executes a systematic 7-step prior art search methodology:

1. **Invention Definition** (2-3 min) - Extract key features 2. **Keyword Strategy** (2-3 min) - Build search terms 3. **Broad Search** (3-5 min) - Cast wide net 4. **CPC Identification** (2-3 min) - Find classifications 5. **Deep CPC Search** (5-10 min) - Thorough classification search 6. **Timeline Analysis** (2-3 min) - Technology evolution 7. **Patentability Report** (5-10 min) - Assessment + recommendations

**Total Time**: 25-45 minutes for thorough search

Who This Is For

• Inventors before filing
• Patent attorneys/agents
• Companies conducting due diligence
• Researchers checking novelty
• Anyone assessing patentability

Process

Step 1: Tell Me About Your Invention

I'll ask you:

• What problem does it solve?
• How does it work?
• What are the key features?
• What makes it novel?

Example:

> Describe your invention...

User: A blockchain-based authentication system that uses
distributed ledger verification instead of centralized
password databases.

> Got it. Key features I extracted:
> - Blockchain technology
> - Authentication/verification
> - Distributed ledger
> - No centralized database
>
> Is this correct? Any other key features?

Step 2: Keyword Search

I'll search BigQuery (100M+ patents) using keywords derived from your description:

# I'll run searches like:
"blockchain authentication"
"distributed ledger verification"
"decentralized identity"
"cryptographic authentication"

I'll review 20-30 results per query and identify the most relevant patents.

Step 3: CPC Classification Search

I'll:

• Extract CPC codes from relevant patents found
• Identify primary classification areas
• Search thoroughly within those classifications

Common CPC codes:

• G06F: Computing/data processing
• H04L: Digital communication
• G06Q: Business methods
• G06N: AI/neural networks

Step 4: Timeline Analysis

I'll analyze:

• When was this technology first patented?
• How has it evolved over time?
• What are recent developments (last 2 years)?
• Are there filing trends?

Step 5: Patentability Assessment

I'll evaluate:

**Novelty (35 USC 102)**:

• Is there an exact match in prior art?
• What are the differences?
• Novelty Score: High/Medium/Low

**Non-Obviousness (35 USC 103)**:

• Could references be combined?
• Is there motivation to combine?
• Are there unexpected results?
• Obviousness Risk: High/Medium/Low

Step 6: Generate Report

I'll create a comprehensive report with:

• Executive summary
• Top 10 most relevant prior art (ranked)
• Detailed analysis of each reference
• Patentability assessment
• Claim strategy recommendations
• IDS list for USPTO filing

Report Structure

# PRIOR ART SEARCH REPORT

## Executive Summary
- Invention: [Description]
- Searcher: Claude Patent Creator
- Date: [Date]
- Databases: BigQuery (100M+ patents)
- Conclusion: [Patentability assessment]

## Patentability Assessment

### Novelty (35 USC 102): HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW
[Detailed analysis]

### Non-Obviousness (35 USC 103): HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW
[Detailed analysis]

## Top 10 Most Relevant Prior Art

### 1. US10123456B2 - [Title] (Relevance: 95%)
**Assignee**: Example Corp
**Filed**: 2018-03-15 | **Granted**: 2019-09-30
**CPC**: G06F21/31, H04L29/06

**Abstract**: [Summary]

**Similarities**:
- [List similarities]

**Differences**:
- [Key differences from your invention]

**Analysis**: [Why this is or isn't blocking]

---

[Continue for all top 10]

## Search Methodology

### Keywords Used
- Primary: [list]
- Synonyms: [list]
- Technical: [list]

### CPC Codes Searched
- [Code 1]: [Description]
- [Code 2]: [Description]

### Search Statistics
- Total patents reviewed: 336
- Relevant patents found: 47
- Top prior art selected: 10

## Claim Strategy Recommendations

### Recommended Approach
1. Focus on: [Novel aspects]
2. Avoid: [Prior art areas]
3. Emphasize: [Differentiating features]

### Suggested Independent Claim

A system for [invention], comprising: [novel element 1]; [novel element 2]; wherein [novel relationship]

## IDS List (For USPTO Filing)

1. US10123456B2
2. US10234567A1
3. US10345678B1
...
[Complete list]

## Conclusion

[Overall patentability assessment and next steps]

Output Files

All results saved to:

prior-art-search-[date]/
├── search-report.md              # Complete report
├── top-10-patents.md             # Detailed top 10 analysis
├── ids-list.md                   # USPTO disclosure list
├── claim-strategy.md             # Recommendations
└── search-data/
    ├── keyword-results.json      # Raw keyword search results
    ├── cpc-results.json          # Raw CPC search results
    └── timeline-analysis.json    # Filing trends data

Requirements

**Must Have**: 1. **BigQuery Access**:

• Google Cloud project
• BigQuery API enabled
• Authenticated: `gcloud auth application-default login`
• Environment: `GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT=your-project-id`

**Optional**:

• USPTO API key (for additional coverage)

Search Depth Options

**Quick Search** (15-20 min):

• Steps 1-3 only
• Keyword search only
• Basic patentability check

**Standard Search** (25-35 min, default):

• All 7 steps
• Keyword + CPC search
• Full patentability assessment

**Thorough Search** (45-60 min):

• Extended CPC search
• Multiple classification areas
• Historical analysis
• Competitive landscape

After the Search

Based on the results, I can help you:

1. **High Patentability**:

• Proceed with `/create-patent` command
• Draft claims distinguishing from prior art
• File patent application

2. **Medium Patentability**:

• Refine invention to avoid prior art
• Narrow scope to novel asp