It isn’t always clear if an invention meets the requirements to be considered patentable. What might seem new to one person may already be known to another. Therefore, a good starting point would be to have a patent search performed on the invention to discover if anything similar exists. A patent search consists of a search of existing patents, published applications, and sometimes the internet to determine if the invention itself or other relevant prior art exists.
If the results of the search indicate some similarities between prior art and the invention then a patentability opinion may be desired. A patentability opinion is performed by a patent attorney or agent and is based on the results of the patent search. Each result is carefully scrutinized and compared with the invention to determine if the invention has novel features and would be non-obvious in view of the patent search results. (NOTE: We can refer you to a reputable Patent Firm that prepares patentability opinions).