Searching Beyond Patents
Unlike traditional patent tools, Perplexity’s AI agent extends its reach beyond patent databases to include academic research, white papers, and early-stage innovations. This wider net allows users to spot emerging trends and related technologies before they become mainstream.
“Users can catch trends, discover related technology, and see the full landscape,” Perplexity said in its announcement.
The tool reflects a growing intersection between AI and intellectual property. Earlier this month, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced its own initiative to test AI in automated prior art searches. Officials have also confirmed the expansion of AI-based examination tools, including DesignVision, a system trained on tens of millions of design patent images.
AI and the Future of Intellectual Property
Perplexity joins a wave of startups reimagining patent research with artificial intelligence. Competitors such as DeepIP, Solve Intelligence, and NLPatent are already leveraging AI to draft, search, and analyze patents. Meanwhile, IP protection platforms like MarqVision and Podqi use AI to detect and remove counterfeit products from online marketplaces.
Yet Perplexity’s conversational, user-first approach could make it a standout. By transforming the patent search process into a fluid, intuitive dialogue, the Perplexity AI Patent Research Tool promises to democratize innovation — one question at a time.
