Is your invention patentable?
Describe your invention and search worldwide patent prior art in seconds. See what already exists before you spend on filing — then get an AI patentability opinion under the Indian Patents Act.
Use the key technical features — the more specific, the better the prior-art match.
How patentability works in India
Under the Patents Act, 1970, an invention must clear three tests and one exclusion list. It must be novel (Section 2(1)(j)) — not disclosed anywhere in the world before your priority date; it must involve an inventive step (Section 2(1)(ja)) — a technical advance that isn't obvious to a skilled person; and it must be industrially applicable.
It must also avoid Section 3, which excludes whole categories of subject matter no matter how clever they are — most notably Section 3(k) for a computer program or algorithm “per se”, which is the usual stumbling block for software and AI inventions, and Section 3(d) for new forms of known substances. A prior-art search addresses novelty and inventive step; the AI opinion additionally screens for the Section 3 traps.
Filing a patent in India is a multi-year, fee-bearing process. Running a prior-art search first — and getting a quick read on novelty and Section 3 — is the cheapest way to avoid spending on an application that was never going to grant. Track every prosecution deadline afterwards with the IP deadline calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my invention is patentable in India?
An invention is patentable in India if it is new (novel), involves an inventive step (is non-obvious), is capable of industrial application, and is not excluded under Section 3 of the Patents Act, 1970. The first practical step is a prior-art search: if the same idea is already published anywhere in the world, it isn't novel. This tool runs that prior-art search for you, then the AI opinion assesses novelty, inventive step, and Section 3 flags.
What is prior art, and why does it matter?
Prior art is everything publicly known before your filing date — patents, published applications, papers, products, even your own public disclosures. Novelty (Section 2(1)(j)) is judged against worldwide prior art. If a single prior-art reference already discloses your invention, a patent can be refused or later revoked. Searching first saves the filing fee and the attorney time on an idea that was never novel.
What cannot be patented in India?
Section 3 lists subject matter that is not patentable regardless of novelty — for example a computer program per se or algorithm (Section 3(k)), a mere new form of a known substance without enhanced efficacy (Section 3(d)), a method of agriculture or horticulture, business methods, and methods of medical treatment. Section 3(k) in particular trips up a lot of software inventions, so the AI opinion flags it explicitly.
If the search finds no prior art, is my invention definitely novel?
No. A keyword search is a strong first filter, not a guarantee — relevant prior art can use different terminology, sit in a non-patent source, or be in another language. Treat a clean result as encouraging, then commission a professional novelty search and speak to a patent agent or attorney before filing.
Is this a substitute for a professional patentability search?
No. This is preliminary research to help you decide whether an idea is worth pursuing — it is not legal advice and not a professional clearance or patentability opinion. For a filing decision, a registered Indian patent agent or attorney should run a full search and give a formal opinion.
From idea to filing, in one workspace
Novipra runs prior-art search and an AI patentability opinion, captures invention disclosures, and auto-dockets every patent deadline — RFE, FER, annuities and Form 27 — India-first.