New Search Tool: Patent Monkey

A new patent search tool was launched this month called Patent Monkey, and it's worth checking out. Started in part by former USPTO examiner Paul Graham, the search engine has a pretty interesting interface that I think works well. Features include:

• Fully searchable US patent text database
• Front page navigation with user-selectable Claims, Abstract or Description section in quick view window
• Patent status is presented on each patent page so you know which ones are abandoned and expired
• Create, save and share lists of patents (folders) with your colleagues via the web as well as on blogs
• Download any single patent PDF for free or bulk download PDFs from a folder as a time saving upgrade

If I have a nit to pick, it would be the purple text, which gets kind of hard to look at after a while. But the interface is pretty intuitive and I like the fact they modeled it partly on the "shoes" that were formerly used at the PTO. They also have a blog that covers various patent-related topics.

Search on Patent Monkey here.