The problem [is] the patent applicants themselves who do not disclose the prior art in their own applications. [...] Patents can and often are invalidated for t

The problem [is] the patent applicants themselves who do not disclose the prior art in their own applications. [...] Patents can and often are invalidated for the patentee's failure to include prior art; in fact, it is the leading cause of patent invalidation. That seems to differ from this: http://robertplattbell.blogspot.com/2009/01/prior-art-searches.html http://robertplattbell.blogspot.com/2009/01/prior-art-search... Why would I need one? The simple answer is, you don't. There is no requirement to search the Prior Art for previous inventions. And increasingly, many folks are shying away from searching. If you do have a search done, however, you are required to cite the referenced discovered to the Patent Office, should you later file a Patent on the same invention.