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Patents

This guide explains what patents are, why they are useful and where you can find them.

How to find patents

Many patents are accessible online in full-text but are often disguised to protect research and development. Patents might be described with vague or non-specific terms, so use classification searching or consider synonyms when searching by topic or keyword.

No single site provides complete coverage, so search across a range of sources and search by topic area, patent number or classification code.

Patent searching tips

  • Search across a range of sources
  • Search by topic area, patent number or classification code
  • Consider synonyms or use classification searching

Where to find patents

Library databases

Find Australian patents

Find international patents

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