Here's a guide to navigating the patent landscape:

Popular examples among them are below

• United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
• European Patent Office (EPO)
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): WIPO's Patentscope databaseoffers a global search across multiple countries.
• Japan Patent office – J-PlatPat
• Korean intellectual property rights information services (KIPRIS)

2. Utilize online resources:

• Google Patents: This free service indexes patents from around the world and allows searching by keywords, inventors, and other criteria.
• Freepatents online
• Patent Lens - serves integrated scholarly and patent knowledge as a public good to inform science and technology enabled problem solving.

3. Start with the basics:

• Keywords: Identify the key terms that describe your invention. Think of nouns, verbs, and unique functionalities.
• Classification systems: Most patent offices use classification systems to categorize inventions. Research relevant codes for your field.
• Inventor/ Applicant name: If you know the inventor or company behind a similar invention, search by their name.

4. Non-patent Literature sources: Google scholar - provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. Search across a wide variety of disciplines and sources: articles, theses, etc., Non-conventional sources – Company website, youtube, newspaper, e-commerce pages, blogs.

Remember, patent databases can be complex, so start with simple searches and gradually refine them. Don't rely solely on online tools and consider professional assistance for complex patent searches. Searching for patents & prior art is an ongoing process. By following the above steps and staying curious, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the world of patents and ensure your invention has the potential to shine!