New to patent searching..

[Travis.I]

So, I am unsure of how to go upon patent searching. To see if something I want to do (start), is already patented.

The thing is, I don't know what terms I could use for looking it up. I mean, at the moment, a company has it as an app, but that doesn't mean they have a patent on it.


So really what I am asking, is there a way someone can patent an apps intended use? And, what should I do to make patent searching easier?


I honestly don't feel this I wrote this out for you all to understand, so i'll do my best to answer any questions..

All help is appreciated, thanks!

 

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[firmwear]

The United States used to be a first to invent (FTI) country whereby you could file a patent within 1 year of an invention hitting the market.

Since March 16, 2013 the United States became a first-to-file (FTF) country whereby you cannot file a patent on any invention for which a patent application has already been filed, or which is or has been in prior use, or is already on-sale.

Country of origin does not matter either.

If you want to search patents, try searching in google: "patent" + <relevant subject terms>