First, make sure you have Mozilla’s free browser Firefox. If you already have Firefox, we recommending making sure you have the latest version.
Second, install the PatentlyUseful for the USPTO Add-on.
Third, view any issued OR published patent at the USPTO.gov website and you will see extra “helper” links and information in the top left and right corners.
In the upper left corner links to the following sites are provided, including:
- Pat2Pdf.org (creates a free downloadable pdf version of the Patent viewed (patience is a virtual here as it might take 2-3 minutes for the file to be “grabbed.”)
- FreePatentsOnline.com (If registered, creates a free downloadable pdf version of the Patent viewed)
- PatentStorm.us (If registered, creates a free downloadable pdf version of the Patent viewed)
- EPO Site (The European Patent Office related record of the Patent viewed)
- EPO pdf (The European Patent Office related pdf of the Patent (CAPTCHA entry required if the Patent is issued)
- EPO Legal Status (The European Patent Office recorded status of the related record of the Patent)
- EPO INPADOC (The European Patent Office recorded family status (related patent applications))
- USPTO’s Assignment Records for the patent
- USPTO’s Bibliographic information for the patent (Note: wait a few seconds after going to the page otherwise the USPTO may think you are a bot and block access)
In the upper right hand corner specific information for the issued patent or published app is shown including:
- Number (e.g. Issue number or Publication number)
- Serial Number
- Filing Date (of this case, NOT the priority date)
- Issue/Publication Date
- Assignee as a link to assignee search if an assignee is found
- Main/Current US classification with a link to US Class search
- Corresponding publication/patent for the displayed patent/publication (if found) NOTE: This may take a few second to 30+ seconds depending on your internet connection as well as the USPTO server’s response time.
Within the Cited Art:
- Provides links to pat2pdf.org and the EPO site for each issued US Patent and Published Application cited.
Fourth, send comments, thanks, questions and or complaints to us at info@patentlyuseful.com .If you like the add-on please consider leaving favorable feedback at Mozilla’s web site.
