Perplexity launches AI tool that lets users search patents with natural language
Searching patents has always felt like digging through a maze of databases, and you end up guessing the exact words that will pull up the right filing. One missed synonym and the whole reference can vanish. That friction hits inventors, lawyers and analysts hardest, because they need fast, reliable clues about prior art.
Lately a new AI-driven interface has started to appear. Instead of typing long keyword strings, you can ask a question in plain English, almost like you’re talking to a coworker, and the system returns the most relevant patent documents. It seems to reduce the trial-and-error of traditional searches, so experts can spend more time interpreting results and less time fiddling with syntax.
By taking the pressure off precise phrasing, the tool could make the patent world a bit more approachable for veterans and newcomers alike. The following statement tries to sum up what the product is really aiming for.
Perplexity's new AI tool aims to simplify patent research Instead of searching for a string of keywords, Perplexity's new tool allows you to use natural language to look for patents. Instead of searching for a string of keywords, Perplexity's new tool allows you to use natural language to look for patents. As an example, Perplexity says you can enter something like, "Are there any patents on AI language learning?" or "Key quantum computing patents since 2024," and Perplexity will return relevant results, along with AI-generated summaries of each one.
Perplexity says its tool extends beyond exact keyword matches, too. That means if you search for "fitness trackers," Perplexity will also surface patents filed under related terms, like "activity bands," "step-counting watches," and "health monitoring watches." Its tool can also search through academic papers, public software repositories, and other sources for prior art. Perplexity is making its patent research tool free for everyone to use while it's in beta, with Pro and Max subscribers getting additional usage quotas and configuration options.
You can try out the tool by entering a search for a patent directly in Perplexity. Most Popular - Anker's fast 2-in-1 USB-C cable is less than $20 right now - iOS 26 leak co-defendant says Jon Prosser paid him $650 - Liam Hemsworth isn't the problem with The Witcher's fourth season - President Trump's ballroom design might not be AI -- but it's still a mess - Affinity's new design platform combines everything into one app
Perplexity’s newest tool tries to make patent research a bit less of a chore. The company says the agent lets you type a plain-language question instead of building a long list of keywords. Patents have always felt like a maze, so a conversational front end could lower the hurdle for people who aren’t IP specialists.
Still, the announcement doesn’t give any numbers on how accurate the results are or how much of the patent corpus it actually covers compared with the usual search engines. It’s not clear how well the model will handle the subtle legal phrasing that shows up in many filings. If it can consistently pull up the right prior art, early-stage inventors might save a lot of time; if not, they’ll probably have to fall back on the classic databases.
The AI-driven ranking also raises questions about how transparent the system really is. Perplexity hasn’t said whether the service talks to official patent office APIs or how often the underlying data set gets refreshed. Until some third-party tests show up, we’ll have to wait and see how useful the natural-language approach actually is.
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Common Questions Answered
How does Perplexity's new AI tool change the way users search for patents?
The tool replaces traditional keyword strings with natural‑language queries, letting users ask questions like “Are there any patents on AI language learning?” in plain English. This conversational approach aims to surface relevant patent documents without requiring precise terminology.
What examples does Perplexity give for natural‑language patent searches?
Perplexity cites queries such as “Are there any patents on AI language learning?” and “Key quantum computing patents since 2024” to illustrate how users can retrieve specific patent sets using everyday language instead of complex keyword combinations.
Does the announcement provide any data on the retrieval accuracy of the new patent search agent?
No, the announcement does not include metrics on how accurately the AI tool retrieves patents or how its coverage compares with existing keyword‑based search platforms. Users will have to evaluate its performance independently.
What potential challenge does the article highlight regarding the AI tool's handling of legal language?
The article notes that interpreting nuanced legal terminology could be difficult for the system, raising concerns about whether it can consistently understand and retrieve the correct prior art in complex patent contexts.