All virtual services are available and some libraries are open for in-person use, while others remain closed through January 23, 2022. Learn more.
Browse:
U.S. Patent Office: an extensive site with instructions for searching US patents as well as links for international patents.
Espacenet (European Patent Office): global patent search with a very different interface and guidance from USPTO's.
Google Patents: includes patents from the USPTO from 1790 forward and from the WIPO and EPO from 1978 forward, though usually not as up to date as USPO or Espacenet. More about Google Patents.
Further guidance on patents and assistance for Harvard affiliates:
Patent Searching for SEAS students (Cabot Library)
Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm
Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday 12-7pm
Chat is intended for brief inquiries from the Harvard community.
Reach out to librarians and other reference specialists by email using our online form. We usually respond within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
Talk to a librarian for advice on defining your topic, developing your research strategy, and locating and using sources. Make an appointment now.
These services are intended primarily for Harvard University faculty, staff and students. If you are not affiliated with Harvard, please use these services only to request information about the Library and its collections.
Our chat reference and Research Appointment Request services are intended for Harvard affiliates. All others are welcome to submit questions using the form on this page.
We are happy to answer questions from all Harvard affiliates and from non-affiliates inquiring about the library's collections.
Unfortunately, we're unable to answer questions from the general public which are not directly related to Harvard Library services and collections.