Inventors and companies divulge valuable knowledge on technologies in their patent applications. This is information you can make use of. For example, searching in patent literature shows you how novel your invention is prior to applying for a patent.

You can carry out initial searches and monitoring in free online patent databases yourself.
Specialists can help you with complex queries and comprehensive searches.
Searching yourself

• We offer inventors and SMEs a cost-effective introduction to searches with an Assisted Patent Search. With such a search, you search in public patent databases together with a patent expert to obtain an initial overview of the state of the art in the technology sector you are interested in.
  Assisted Patent Search
  
• Swiss patent applicants can request to have a Swiss Patent Application Search carried out. This search allows you to assess the novelty of the invention for which you’ve submitted a patent application. You also have the option of ordering an International-Type Search through us, which is carried out by the European Patent Office.
  Swiss Patent Application Search
  International-Type Search

Patent searches and monitoring can also be useful after patenting. There are various providers who can offer you an appropriate search. List with various providers.