Is AutoPatent free to use?

Yes. AutoPatent offers free patent search and optimization trials. A Pro plan is available for advanced features.

Which patent databases does AutoPatent search?

For 11 major patent offices (US, EP, WO, JP, KR, CN, DE, GB, FR, CA, AU) AutoPatent searches official bibliographic records via the European Patent Office's Open Patent Services (OPS). For other offices it provides clearly labeled AI-assisted references recalled by the DeepSeek model, not a verified database search.

How does AI patent optimization work?

AutoPatent compares your invention description against the retrieved prior art — official bibliographic records where available, clearly labeled AI-recalled references otherwise — then rewrites your description to emphasize novel technical features, with itemized explanations for each change. It is a drafting aid, not legal advice.

Can AutoPatent guarantee my patent will be approved?

No tool can guarantee patent approval. AutoPatent helps you strengthen your application by identifying potential conflicts and suggesting improvements, but final approval depends on the patent office.

Is my patent idea kept confidential?

Yes. AutoPatent does not store your patent ideas permanently. All searches are processed in-memory and not shared with third parties.

How to Read a Patent Family Tree Before Filing Internationally

Before you file a patent application in a new country, it pays to understand the family tree of the technology you are working around. A patent family tree shows how a single invention has branched into multiple filings across different patent offices. Reading this tree correctly helps you avoid duplicate coverage, spot expired members, and identify gaps where no protection exists. Start with the priority document. This is the first filing that establishes the priority date. Every subsequent filing in the family claims priority back to this document. If the priority date is more than 12 months ago, the PCT deadline may have passed, and direct national filings may be the only option. Next, look at divisionals and continuations. These are secondary filings that split off from a parent application, usually to protect a different aspect of the invention or to pursue claims that were restricted during examination. They share the parent priority date but have their own filing numbers and may be in different legal states. Then check national-phase entries. When a PCT application enters the national phase in individual countries, each entry becomes a separate patent with its own examination timeline. Some may be granted, some pending, some abandoned. The family tree shows all of these branches. Practical tips: 1. Always trace back to the earliest priority date. This determines whether the technology is still within the 20-year patent term. 2. Check the legal status of each family member. A granted patent in one country does not mean the same claims are granted everywhere. 3. Look for gaps. If a family has coverage in the US, Europe, and China but not Japan, there may be an opportunity — or the applicant may have deliberately skipped Japan for business reasons. 4. Watch for expired or abandoned members. These may indicate that the technology is free to use in those jurisdictions, but always verify with a freedom-to-operate search. 5. Use AutoPatent family tree visualization to map these relationships quickly. The interactive view shows priority chains, divisionals, and national-phase entries in a single diagram. Understanding the family tree before you file saves time, money, and unpleasant surprises during examination. It tells you what is already protected, where the gaps are, and what your filing strategy should look like.