[CobaltBlue]

>>I guess that means that patent applications can be searched.<<

According to my husband, who has been a patent examiner for 15 years, and is a Primary Examiner, you cannot search applications for pending patents. You can search applications once a patent is granted.

You might try searching through European patent applications - those are published. Sometimes inventors apply simultaneously for American and European patents -- but certainly not always.

[AndrewC]

According to my husband, who has been a patent examiner for 15 years, and is a Primary Examiner, you cannot search applications for pending patents. You can search applications once a patent is granted.

I guess I believe my eyes more than I believe your husbands opinion and experience. Anyone can find something that includes portions like the following/

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United States Patent Application	20030055025
Kind Code	A1
Nelson, Mark L. ;   et al.	March 20, 2003

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7-substituted tetracycline compounds