Free patent search is important when you apply for patent. The ideas should be patentable. If it is a futile pursuit, the concerned person should not waste time, energy, and money to earn a patent. During free patent searches, we find certain elements patentable [but not all]. The patent infringement should be prevented.

Free patent search can help you protect your idea. It is important due to the following reasons: 1] It documents your area. It serves as invention date record, 2] It protects time in developing already existing ideas search is done at US patent and trademark depository library. Trademark materials are made available to public.

Free patent search saves the money. Sometimes, all elements of invention are not patentable. Prior search allows tracing these elements. You can now file a patent application without loss of money.

Seven steps of search at library are: 1] Do classification by index manual, 2] Note subclass numbers in manual, 3] Read definitions to establish scope of class, 4] Browse titles of patents. Remember bibliographic information of patents, 5] Find all patent numbers, 6] See the representative drawings
7] Search complete text and drawing. 

Free patent search is a gift of technology. Earlier, it was rather difficult to access patent information.