# USPTO Patent Search Scraper (`crawlerbros/uspto-patent-scraper`) Actor Search and extract US patent data from the USPTO Public Patent Search (PPUBS) - full-text search across 10M+ patents and patent applications. No API key required. - **URL**: https://apify.com/crawlerbros/uspto-patent-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Crawler Bros](https://apify.com/crawlerbros) (community) - **Categories:** Automation, Developer tools, MCP servers - **Stats:** 1 total users, 0 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, 4 bookmarks - **User rating**: 5.00 out of 5 stars ## Pricing from $3.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event and usage. You are charged both the fixed price for specific events and for Apify platform usage. Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## USPTO Patent Search Scraper Search and extract US patent data from the [USPTO Public Patent Search (PPUBS)](https://ppubs.uspto.gov/) — the official full-text patent search system covering 10+ million US patents and published applications. No API key required. ### What you can scrape - **Patents** — titles, publication numbers, filing dates, publication dates, assignees, inventors, CPC/IPC classification codes - **Patent applications** — published pre-grant applications (US-PGPUB) - **Granted patents** — issued US patents (USPAT) - **Full patent details** — abstract, claims page count, examiner info, priority dates ### Use cases - Patent research and prior art searches - Competitor patent portfolio analysis - Technology trend analysis by keyword or date range - Inventor or company patent activity tracking - CPC/IPC classification-based research - Academic research on patent innovation ### Input | Field | Type | Description | |---|---|---| | `searchQuery` | string | Keywords to search in patent titles and abstracts | | `assigneeName` | string | Filter by patent owner (company or individual) | | `inventorName` | string | Filter by inventor name | | `dateFrom` | string | Start date filter (YYYY-MM-DD) | | `dateTo` | string | End date filter (YYYY-MM-DD) | | `patentType` | select | Any, Utility, Design, Plant, or Reissue | | `sortBy` | select | Newest first, Oldest first, or Best match | | `fetchDetails` | boolean | Fetch full details including abstract (slower) | | `maxItems` | integer | Max records to return (1–1000, default 25) | #### Example inputs **Search AI patents:** ```json { "searchQuery": "artificial intelligence", "maxItems": 50 } ```` **Search Google's recent patents:** ```json { "searchQuery": "machine learning", "assigneeName": "Google", "dateFrom": "2022-01-01", "maxItems": 100 } ``` **Find patents by inventor with full details:** ```json { "inventorName": "Elon Musk", "fetchDetails": true, "maxItems": 25 } ``` **Search design patents:** ```json { "searchQuery": "electric vehicle", "patentType": "design", "maxItems": 50 } ``` **Date range search for CRISPR patents:** ```json { "searchQuery": "CRISPR gene editing", "dateFrom": "2020-01-01", "dateTo": "2024-12-31", "maxItems": 200 } ``` ### Output #### Patent record ```json { "guid": "US-20260147587-A1", "publicationNumber": "20260147587", "documentId": "US 20260147587 A1", "title": "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED PLANNING ASSISTANT", "kind": "A1", "documentType": "US-PGPUB", "publicationDate": "2026-05-28", "filingDate": "2024-09-24", "assignees": ["JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A."], "inventors": ["BORRAJO; Daniel et al."], "applicationNumber": "18/894868", "cpcCodes": ["G06F9/451", "H04L51/02"], "ipcCodes": ["G06F9/451", "H04L51/02"], "abstract": "Methods and systems for automated planning using AI...", "pageCount": 22, "claimsPages": 2, "sourceUrl": "https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(20260147587).pn.&db=US-PGPUB", "scrapedAt": "2026-05-30T10:30:00+00:00", "recordType": "patent" } ``` ### FAQ **Do I need an API key?** No. The USPTO PPUBS API is publicly accessible without authentication or registration. **What databases are searched?** All three USPTO databases: US-PGPUB (published applications), USPAT (granted patents), and USOCR (legacy patents). **How is the search performed?** Searches use USPTO Boolean Retrieval Syntax (BRS) — the same syntax used in the PPUBS web interface. Keywords are searched in both patent titles and abstracts. **What does `fetchDetails` do?** When enabled, the scraper fetches the full patent record for each result, adding abstract text, claims details, and more. This is slower but returns more data per patent. **Why are some fields missing?** Only fields with actual data are included. Empty, null, or blank fields are never emitted. **What is the difference between US-PGPUB and USPAT?** US-PGPUB contains published patent applications (pre-grant). USPAT contains issued/granted patents. A patent application may first appear in US-PGPUB and later in USPAT after grant. **How many patents are searchable?** The USPTO PPUBS database contains over 10 million US patents and patent applications. **What sort options are available?** - Newest first (default): most recently published patents - Oldest first: earliest published patents - Best match: relevance-ranked by search score # Actor input Schema ## `searchQuery` (type: `string`): Keyword(s) to search in patent titles and abstracts. Example: 'artificial intelligence', 'CRISPR gene editing'. ## `assigneeName` (type: `string`): Filter by patent assignee (company or individual that owns the patent). Example: Google, Apple, IBM. ## `inventorName` (type: `string`): Filter by inventor name. Example: 'Elon Musk', 'James Dyson'. ## `dateFrom` (type: `string`): Only return patents published on or after this date (YYYY-MM-DD). Example: 2020-01-01 ## `dateTo` (type: `string`): Only return patents published on or before this date (YYYY-MM-DD). Example: 2024-12-31 ## `patentType` (type: `string`): Filter by patent type. ## `sortBy` (type: `string`): Sort order for results. ## `fetchDetails` (type: `boolean`): If enabled, fetches full patent details including abstract, claims, and CPC classifications for each result. Slower but returns more data. ## `maxItems` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of patent records to return (1–1000). ## Actor input object example ```json { "searchQuery": "artificial intelligence", "patentType": "", "sortBy": "date_publ desc", "fetchDetails": false, "maxItems": 25 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `patents` (type: `string`): Dataset containing all scraped USPTO patent records. # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "searchQuery": "artificial intelligence", "sortBy": "date_publ desc", "fetchDetails": false, "maxItems": 25 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("crawlerbros/uspto-patent-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "searchQuery": "artificial intelligence", "sortBy": "date_publ desc", "fetchDetails": False, "maxItems": 25, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("crawlerbros/uspto-patent-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "searchQuery": "artificial intelligence", "sortBy": "date_publ desc", "fetchDetails": false, "maxItems": 25 }' | apify call crawlerbros/uspto-patent-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=crawlerbros/uspto-patent-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "USPTO Patent Search Scraper", "description": "Search and extract US patent data from the USPTO Public Patent Search (PPUBS) - full-text search across 10M+ patents and patent applications. No API key required.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "1EuagUzvx8kPcJBfD" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/crawlerbros~uspto-patent-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-crawlerbros-uspto-patent-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/crawlerbros~uspto-patent-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-crawlerbros-uspto-patent-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/crawlerbros~uspto-patent-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-crawlerbros-uspto-patent-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "searchQuery": { "title": "Search query", "type": "string", "description": "Keyword(s) to search in patent titles and abstracts. Example: 'artificial intelligence', 'CRISPR gene editing'." }, "assigneeName": { "title": "Assignee name", "type": "string", "description": "Filter by patent assignee (company or individual that owns the patent). Example: Google, Apple, IBM." }, "inventorName": { "title": "Inventor name", "type": "string", "description": "Filter by inventor name. Example: 'Elon Musk', 'James Dyson'." }, "dateFrom": { "title": "Publication date (from)", "type": "string", "description": "Only return patents published on or after this date (YYYY-MM-DD). Example: 2020-01-01" }, "dateTo": { "title": "Publication date (to)", "type": "string", "description": "Only return patents published on or before this date (YYYY-MM-DD). Example: 2024-12-31" }, "patentType": { "title": "Patent type", "enum": [ "", "utility", "design", "plant", "reissue" ], "type": "string", "description": "Filter by patent type.", "default": "" }, "sortBy": { "title": "Sort by", "enum": [ "date_publ desc", "date_publ asc", "score desc" ], "type": "string", "description": "Sort order for results.", "default": "date_publ desc" }, "fetchDetails": { "title": "Fetch full patent details", "type": "boolean", "description": "If enabled, fetches full patent details including abstract, claims, and CPC classifications for each result. Slower but returns more data.", "default": false }, "maxItems": { "title": "Max items", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 1000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of patent records to return (1–1000).", "default": 25 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```