Patentability opinion assesses how likely your invention meets key criteria such as novelty, non-obviousness, utility and enablement.

A patentability opinion typically involves:

1. Patent Search: The patent attorney or a patent agent will conduct a thorough search through patent databases to identify existing patents or published applications that might be similar to your invention. This search helps assess "novelty" and "non-obviousness," which are key requirements for patentability.

Limited budget: If resources are tight, you might initially focus on a prior art search to get a general sense of potential challenges.

2. Legal Analysis: Based on the search results and their understanding of patent law, the attorney or agent will analyze how your invention stacks up against existing inventions. They will consider factors like the invention's purpose, functionality, and unique features.

3. Opinion & Recommendations: The attorney or agent will provide a written opinion outlining the likelihood of your invention receiving a patent. This opinion might range from "highly likely" to "unlikely" and will be supported by the findings of the search and legal analysis. Additionally, they might recommend modifications to your invention to improve its patentability.

On the other hand, here are few reasons to consider other options i.e. other than obtaining a patentability opinion:

Simple invention: For inventions with limited commercial potential, the cost of a Patentability opinion might outweigh the benefit.

Limited budget: If resources are tight, you might initially focus on performing a prior art search on your own to get a general sense of potential challenges.

High confidence: If you are confident about your invention's uniqueness and non-obviousness, you might feel comfortable filing the patent application directly without a patentability opinion.

Ultimately, patentability opinion offers valuable insights but is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Consider your needs, budget, and invention's value before making a decision.