Perplexity has launched Perplexity Patents, a new AI-powered research agent designed to make patent discovery accessible beyond specialists.

For decades, patent research has depended on rigid search systems that required precise keyword strings and specialized syntax to uncover relevant information. Free patent search tools, such as public search engines, only show part of the picture, making it difficult for non-experts to explore inventions thoroughly, while professional platforms require expensive subscriptions and significant training. This combination has kept patent intelligence largely in the hands of specialists and left most innovators on the sidelines.

Perplexity Patents is designed to remove those barriers, enabling anyone to explore intellectual property using natural language and follow-up questions that maintain context. The goal: deliver fast, clear answers that move as quickly as modern innovation demands.

Instead of manual query construction, users can ask questions such as:

The system automatically interprets patent-oriented queries, surfaces relevant patent filings, and provides inline viewing and direct links to original documents. To explore further or compare inventions, Perplexity suggests follow-up prompts so users can dig deeper without starting over.

Behind the scenes, Perplexity Patents uses an agentic research system that breaks a single prompt into a sequence of targeted retrieval tasks. Each task is routed through a specialized patent knowledge index built on exabyte-scale search infrastructure, allowing the system to scan vast volumes of filings and related sources at high speed. Instead of running a single keyword search, the agent evaluates terminology, context, related technical concepts, and citation patterns, then refines its queries in real time to surface more relevant results.

This approach helps the model identify prior art (a legal term for existing patents and documented inventions) beyond exact keyword matches, capturing inventions that express similar ideas using different language or technical framing.

Traditional patent tools typically only return results that include the exact phrase you searched for. A query for “fitness trackers,” for example, might only show patents that use that exact wording. Perplexity, however, looks beyond literal matches to surface conceptually related inventions, such as:

This broader language and concept mapping helps uncover ideas expressed differently in patent filings — something strict keyword systems often miss.

For users, this removes the need to guess the right keywords or navigate complex search syntax. Instead, Perplexity Patents delivers real-time answers using natural language queries and can even surface information related to questions users might not initially think to ask.

By automating the most time-consuming elements of patent discovery, the system helps innovators move from initial question to actionable insight more efficiently.

Innovation rarely lives in one place anymore. New ideas surface in technical blogs, open-source code, research papers, forums, and early product documentation long before they appear in formal patent filings. Perplexity Patents expands beyond traditional patent databases when needed, pulling context from:

This wider discovery approach gives users visibility into invention activity at the moment it begins to emerge, not just once it becomes a patent. It helps researchers and innovators spot trends earlier, identify related technologies, and understand emerging invention pathways that originate outside traditional filings and evolve across the broader technical landscape.

Perplexity Patents is launching in beta and is free for everyone to try. Pro and Max subscribers will get higher usage limits and additional configuration options. To begin, users simply type a patent-related question into Perplexity.

Q: Who is this for?
A: Engineers, founders, researchers, patent counsels, and anyone exploring new technology spaces.

Q: What makes it different?
A: Natural-language search with citation-backed retrieval and context continuity.

Q: Is it replacing professional patent tools?
A: It democratizes access but does not replace specialist systems; rather, it broadens entry points for research and discovery.

Q: How is privacy handled?
A: No privacy claims were made in the announcement. Users should consult Perplexity’s product policies for details.

Patent systems play a foundational role in innovation, but traditional research tools have been costly and complex, influencing who has been able to invent and compete. By simplifying intellectual property research and making it accessible through natural language, Perplexity Patents lowers the barriers for entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, and independent builders who previously lacked access to specialized tools or expertise.

Faster discovery means ideas can move from concept to prototype more quickly, and innovators can identify opportunities or risks earlier in the development process. As AI continues to accelerate scientific and technical progress, tools like this may help broaden participation in innovation and lower the friction between curiosity and invention.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant used for research and drafting. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.