Intellectual Property Specialists · Est. 2014

Thorough
patent research,
done right.

We help inventors and IP counsel navigate the patent landscape with prior art searches that are rigorous, readable, and delivered on time.

Denver, Colorado
Headquarters
100% U.S.-performed
No outsourcing
4–7 day turnaround
Most searches
01 / About

Independent patent research, since 2014.

Aegis Patent Services provides prior art searches and intellectual property research for inventors, law firms, and businesses evaluating the patent landscape.

We specialize in working with small to mid-size inventor-focused law firms, adapting our process and report formats to meet the needs of growing practices. Every search is tailored — custom templates and delivery formats available on request.

All work is performed in the United States. We do not outsource projects.

Why the search matters
$5K–$10K+
What obtaining a patent can often cost

The search is the foundation for protecting your business.

A thorough prior art search gives your attorney the visibility to draft a non-provisional application with the strongest, most defensible claims — narrower where they need to be, broader where they can be.

The downstream effect is real: better-informed filings often mean fewer office actions, and fewer office actions mean lower prosecution costs from start to finish.

A search done well pays for itself.

02 / Services

Prior art research, done thoroughly.

Primary Practice

Prior Art & Patentability Search

A thorough review of existing patents, applications, and non-patent literature — the foundation an attorney needs to draft strong, defensible claims.

  • Thorough review of USPTO patents and published applications
  • Class- and subclass-focused methodology
  • International coverage: Espacenet, Patentscope (WIPO), Global Dossier
  • Non-patent literature and commercial source searches
  • Reports include excerpt teachings, PDFs, and hyperlinks for efficient review
  • Custom report templates available to match a firm’s preferred format
  • 4–7 day turnaround on most searches
  • Direct work with the primary researcher — no relay, no outsourcing
03 / Approach

Start wide. Narrow the focus. Deliver clarity.

Patentability search

If you have an idea, product, or concept you want to protect, the first step toward a patent is a thorough prior art search.

To be patentable, an idea must be novel and non-obvious to one skilled in the art. We research existing patent and non-patent literature to identify the references most relevant to whether your idea is novel, so you and your attorney can assess patentability.

A report is prepared highlighting patents and applications most likely to impact the patentability of the invention.

Focus on claim elements

Patent attorneys often use different language to describe an invention than most people would.

At the beginning of a search, it is important to identify how similar inventions are described in patents as well as how they are classified by the USPTO. Starting wide and narrowing toward claim elements ensures we surface the references that actually matter.

What's in a report

A large amount of research, in an accessible format.

  • Most Relevant Prior Art with notes on specific claims tied to invention elements
  • PDFs of patents and applications with claims directly relating to the disclosure
  • Highlighted text within PDFs of the most relevant references
  • Secure online folder with PDF copies of all patents and applications
  • Key classes — USPTO classifications plus international
  • Publication name, number, inventor, abstract, and hyperlinks for efficient review
  • Search and review of commercial applications
  • Non-patent literature coverage
The Principal

Experienced research, direct access.

When you work with Aegis, you work directly with the researcher performing your search — not a relay team of account managers.

That's what makes the reports sharper, the turnaround faster, and the judgment calls better.

Principal & Primary Research Specialist

Brandon Kenney

Founder
  • EducationMechanical Engineering, Cum Laude — Virginia Tech
  • Advanced DegreeMBA with Finance concentration — University of Florida
  • ExperienceConducting prior art and freedom-to-operate searches since 2014
04 / Common Questions

Questions inventors and counsel ask us.

I.

What is a prior art search?

A prior art search is a review of existing patents, published applications, and non-patent literature to identify references relevant to whether an invention is novel and non-obvious — the legal standards for patentability. The search identifies references the USPTO is likely to cite during examination, giving your attorney the information needed to draft stronger claims.

II.

What is the difference between a prior art search and a freedom to operate search?

A prior art search looks for references relevant to whether an invention is patentable by reviewing existing knowledge in the field, while a freedom to operate search looks at active patents relevant to a product. A freedom to operate search identifies active patents and pending applications that may be relevant to whether a product can be made and sold, for review with your counsel. They answer different questions and are typically done at different stages of product development.

III.

How long does a patent search take?

Most prior art searches at Aegis are completed within 4 to 7 business days. Freedom to operate searches vary based on technical complexity and geographic coverage, with timelines confirmed at the quote stage.

IV.

Should I conduct a patent search before filing?

Yes — a thorough search before filing helps your attorney draft claims with full visibility into the existing landscape. Patent prosecution can often cost $5,000 to $10,000 or more, and better-informed initial applications often result in fewer office actions — which can meaningfully reduce overall patent costs.

V.

Who performs the searches?

All searches are performed in the United States by Brandon Kenney, the firm’s principal. Brandon holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Virginia Tech and an MBA from the University of Florida, with more than ten years of patent research experience. Aegis does not outsource any work.

VI.

What is included in a search report?

Reports include the most relevant prior art with notes on specific claims tied to invention elements, PDFs of key patents and applications, USPTO and international classifications, publication details with abstracts and hyperlinks for efficient review, and coverage of commercial applications and non-patent literature. Custom report templates are available on request.

VII.

Do you work with patent attorneys and law firms?

Yes — Aegis specializes in working with small and mid-size inventor-focused law firms and can adapt processes and report formats to match a practice’s preferred templates.

VIII.

Where is Aegis Patent Services located?

Aegis Patent Services is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and serves clients throughout the United States.

05 / Contact

Start a search, or just ask a question.

Get in touch.

Email
brandon@aegispatentservices.com
Phone
(720) 593-6678
Location
Denver, Colorado

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