The first step in seeking patent protection is to find out if the invention is patentable. The first step to patenting has two connected parts. A prior art search, and a patentability evaluation.

Patent Searching is done to find out whether an invention (or an obvious precursor) is already written about somewhere in the world. In other words, it is done to find out if a similar product or invention already exists.
Patent Searching needs to be done to determine if your idea or invention claim is disclosed in the existing patents, patent applications, and non patent literature from around the world.
The first step in seeking patent protection is to find out if the invention is patentable. The first step to patenting has two connected parts. A prior art search, and a patentability evaluation.
The basics on how to start and conduct a prior art or patent search to find out if an invention is novel and non-obvious. By Carson Patents, USPTO Registered Patent Agent, Gregory Carson.