# Google Patents API

> Google Patents returns patent search results, patent details, and company patent summaries as a workflow and API.

Google Patents searches patents by invention description, with optional assignee, inventor, country, filing-date, and publication-stage filters. Get patent returns details for one public patent or published application; enter its number, title, or Google Patents link. List company patents summarizes a company’s public patents by filing year, technology, inventor, and recent records; enter a company.

- Page: https://fous.com/workflows/google-patents
- Handle: `@google-patents`
- Category: [Legal](https://fous.com/workflows/category/legal)
- Source website: https://patents.google.com
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026
- Fous is not affiliated with Google Patents.

## Methods

### Get patent

Operation `get_patent`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Get the details of one public patent or published application by number, title, or Google Patents link. A title selects the closest matching result; citations and claims are capped.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `patent` | string | yes | `"US 10,000,000"` | Patent or publication number, title, or Google Patents link, for example US 10,000,000. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "patent"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "patent": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Patent or publication number, title, or Google Patents link, for example US 10,000,000.",
      "examples": [
        "US 10,000,000",
        "EP1234567",
        "https://patents.google.com/patent/US20160266243A1/en"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "patent": "US 10,000,000"
    },
    {
      "patent": "EP1234567"
    },
    {
      "patent": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US20160266243A1/en"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `title` | string |  | Patent title. |
| `claims` | array |  | Up to 100 numbered claims in plain text. |
| `claims[].text` | string |  |  |
| `claims[].number` | integer |  |  |
| `status` | string or null |  | Stated legal status in words. |
| `abstract` | string or null |  | Patent abstract. |
| `pdf_link` | string or null |  | PDF download link, when listed. |
| `inventors` | array |  | Inventor names. |
| `grant_date` | string or null |  | Grant date, YYYY-MM-DD, if granted. |
| `claim_count` | integer |  | Total claim count. |
| `filing_date` | string or null |  | Filing date, YYYY-MM-DD. |
| `patent_link` | string |  | Google Patents page link. |
| `patent_number` | string |  | Publication number. |
| `patents_cited` | array |  | Up to 50 patents cited by this patent. |
| `patents_cited[].title` | string or null |  | Title of cited patent. |
| `patents_cited[].assignee` | string or null |  | Original assignee listed for the patent. |
| `patents_cited[].patent_link` | string |  | Google Patents page link. |
| `patents_cited[].patent_number` | string |  | Publication number. |
| `priority_date` | string or null |  | Earliest stated priority date, YYYY-MM-DD. |
| `family_members` | array |  | Family member publications and authorities. |
| `family_members[].country` | string |  | Country or patent authority. |
| `family_members[].patent_link` | string |  | Google Patents page link. |
| `family_members[].patent_number` | string |  | Family member publication number. |
| `classifications` | array |  | Classifications and their plain-language descriptions. |
| `classifications[].cpc_code` | string or null |  | CPC classification code, when available. |
| `classifications[].description` | string |  | Plain-language classification description. |
| `publication_date` | string or null |  | Publication date, YYYY-MM-DD. |
| `current_assignees` | array |  | Current assignees. |
| `patents_citing_it` | array |  | Up to 50 patents citing this patent. |
| `patents_citing_it[].title` | string or null |  | Title of cited patent. |
| `patents_citing_it[].assignee` | string or null |  | Original assignee listed for the patent. |
| `patents_citing_it[].patent_link` | string |  | Google Patents page link. |
| `patents_citing_it[].patent_number` | string |  | Publication number. |
| `original_assignees` | array |  | Original assignees. |
| `anticipated_expiration_date` | string or null |  | Stated expected expiration date, YYYY-MM-DD. |

### List company patents

Operation `list_company_patents`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Summarize a company’s public patents by filing year, technology area, inventor, and recent patent. Breakdowns use up to 50 most recent records rather than 500 because patent classifications require individual records. Status describes publication stage, not current legal status.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `topic` | string | no | `"battery"` | Words to narrow the portfolio, for example battery. |
| `company` | string | yes | `"Siemens"` | Company or assignee name, for example Apple or Siemens. |
| `max_recent` | integer | no | `5` | Maximum number of recent patents, for example 20. |
| `filed_after` | string | no | `"2024-01-01"` | First filing date to include, for example 2020-01-01. Defaults to ten years before today. |
| `filed_before` | string | no | `"2024-01-31"` | Last filing date to include, for example 2024-12-31. Defaults to today. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "company"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "topic": {
      "type": "string",
      "default": "",
      "description": "Words to narrow the portfolio, for example battery.",
      "examples": [
        "battery"
      ]
    },
    "company": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Company or assignee name, for example Apple or Siemens.",
      "examples": [
        "Siemens",
        "Unlikely Company ZZQJXQ 932849",
        "Apple"
      ]
    },
    "max_recent": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of recent patents, for example 20.",
      "examples": [
        5,
        3
      ]
    },
    "filed_after": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date",
      "description": "First filing date to include, for example 2020-01-01. Defaults to ten years before today.",
      "examples": [
        "2024-01-01",
        "2024-12-01"
      ]
    },
    "filed_before": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date",
      "description": "Last filing date to include, for example 2024-12-31. Defaults to today.",
      "examples": [
        "2024-01-31",
        "2024-12-31"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "topic": "battery",
      "company": "Siemens",
      "max_recent": 5,
      "filed_after": "2024-01-01",
      "filed_before": "2024-01-31"
    },
    {
      "company": "Unlikely Company ZZQJXQ 932849",
      "filed_after": "2024-01-01",
      "filed_before": "2024-01-31"
    },
    {
      "company": "Apple",
      "max_recent": 3,
      "filed_after": "2024-12-01",
      "filed_before": "2024-12-31"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `company` | string | `"Siemens"` |  |
| `sample_size` | integer | `22` |  |
| `top_inventors` | array |  |  |
| `top_inventors[].name` | string | `"Michael Finkenzeller"` |  |
| `top_inventors[].count` | integer | `3` |  |
| `recent_patents` | array |  |  |
| `recent_patents[].link` | string | `"https://patents.google.com/patent/DE102024200907A1/en"` |  |
| `recent_patents[].title` | string | `"Land-based virtual spreading agent level indicator"` |  |
| `recent_patents[].number` | string | `"DE102024200907A1"` |  |
| `recent_patents[].status` | string | `"Published application"` |  |
| `recent_patents[].grant_date` | string or null |  |  |
| `recent_patents[].filing_date` | string or null | `"2024-01-31"` |  |
| `filings_per_year` | array |  |  |
| `filings_per_year[].year` | integer | `2024` |  |
| `filings_per_year[].count` | integer | `22` |  |
| `total_results_found` | integer | `22` |  |
| `top_technology_areas` | array |  |  |
| `top_technology_areas[].count` | integer | `5` |  |
| `top_technology_areas[].description` | string | `"Processes or means, e.g. batteries, for the direct conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy"` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "topic": "battery",
  "company": "Siemens",
  "max_recent": 5,
  "filed_after": "2024-01-01",
  "filed_before": "2024-01-31"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "company": "Siemens",
  "sample_size": 22,
  "top_inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Michael Finkenzeller",
      "count": 3
    },
    {
      "name": "Antonio de Rosa",
      "count": 1
    },
    {
      "name": "Antonio De Rosa",
      "count": 1
    }
  ],
  "recent_patents": [
    {
      "link": "https://patents.google.com/patent/DE102024200907A1/en",
      "title": "Land-based virtual spreading agent level indicator",
      "number": "DE102024200907A1",
      "status": "Published application",
      "grant_date": null,
      "filing_date": "2024-01-31"
    },
    {
      "link": "https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2024170278A1/en",
      "title": "Device for inductively charging a battery of a motor vehicle",
      "number": "WO2024170278A1",
      "status": "Published application",
      "grant_date": null,
      "filing_date": "2024-01-31"
    },
    {
      "link": "https://patents.google.com/patent/DE102024200908A1/en",
      "title": "Land-side virtual windshield washer fluid level indicator",
      "number": "DE102024200908A1",
      "status": "Published application",
      "grant_date": null,
      "filing_date": "2024-01-31"
    }
  ],
  "filings_per_year": [
    {
      "year": 2024,
      "count": 22
    }
  ],
  "total_results_found": 22,
  "top_technology_areas": [
    {
      "count": 5,
      "description": "Processes or means, e.g. batteries, for the direct conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy"
    },
    {
      "count": 5,
      "description": "Electric power networks; circuit arrangements or systems for supplying or distributing electric power; systems for storing electric energy"
    },
    {
      "count": 4,
      "description": "Magnets; inductances; transformers; selection of materials for their magnetic properties"
    }
  ]
}
```

### Search patents

Operation `search_patents`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Find Google Patents about an invention, with optional inventor, assignee, country, filing-date and publication-stage filters. Legal status is the site’s estimate, not a legal conclusion.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `page` | integer | no | `1` | Results page to return, for example 2. The first page is 1. |
| `sort` | string | no | `"newest"` | Result order, for example newest. |
| `query` | string | yes | `"battery temperature management"` | Describe the invention in plain words, for example wireless charging for electric cars. |
| `status` | string | no | `"granted"` | Publication stage, for example granted. Any includes both. |
| `company` | string | no | `"Tesla"` | Assignee company, for example Tesla. |
| `inventor` | string | no | `"John B Goodenough"` | Inventor name, for example John B Goodenough. |
| `countries` | array | no |  | Countries by name or two-letter code, for example ["United States", "Germany"]. Omit for all countries. |
| `filed_after` | string | no | `"2000-01-01"` | Earliest filing date, for example 2015-01-01. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `5` | Number of patents to return, for example 20. Maximum 100. |
| `filed_before` | string | no | `"2025-01-01"` | Latest filing date, for example 2025-01-01. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "query"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "page": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 1,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Results page to return, for example 2. The first page is 1.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        1
      ]
    },
    "sort": {
      "enum": [
        "relevance",
        "newest",
        "oldest"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "relevance",
      "description": "Result order, for example newest.",
      "examples": [
        "newest",
        "oldest"
      ]
    },
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Describe the invention in plain words, for example wireless charging for electric cars.",
      "examples": [
        "battery temperature management",
        "zzzyyyxxxyyyunmatchedpatentthisstuff",
        "solar panel charging"
      ]
    },
    "status": {
      "enum": [
        "any",
        "granted",
        "application"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "any",
      "description": "Publication stage, for example granted. Any includes both.",
      "examples": [
        "granted",
        "application"
      ]
    },
    "company": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Assignee company, for example Tesla.",
      "examples": [
        "Tesla"
      ]
    },
    "inventor": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Inventor name, for example John B Goodenough.",
      "examples": [
        "John B Goodenough"
      ]
    },
    "countries": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string",
        "examples": [
          "United States",
          "US",
          "EP"
        ],
        "description": "Use the same format as these example values: \"United States\", \"US\", \"EP\"."
      },
      "description": "Countries by name or two-letter code, for example [\"United States\", \"Germany\"]. Omit for all countries.",
      "examples": [
        [
          "United States"
        ],
        [
          "US",
          "EP"
        ]
      ]
    },
    "filed_after": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date",
      "description": "Earliest filing date, for example 2015-01-01.",
      "examples": [
        "2000-01-01"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Number of patents to return, for example 20. Maximum 100.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        5,
        3
      ]
    },
    "filed_before": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date",
      "description": "Latest filing date, for example 2025-01-01.",
      "examples": [
        "2025-01-01"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "sort": "newest",
      "query": "battery temperature management",
      "status": "granted",
      "inventor": "John B Goodenough",
      "countries": [
        "United States"
      ],
      "filed_after": "2000-01-01",
      "max_results": 5,
      "filed_before": "2025-01-01"
    },
    {
      "query": "zzzyyyxxxyyyunmatchedpatentthisstuff",
      "max_results": 3
    },
    {
      "page": 1,
      "sort": "oldest",
      "query": "solar panel charging",
      "status": "application",
      "countries": [
        "US",
        "EP"
      ],
      "max_results": 5
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `patents` | array |  |  |
| `patents[].link` | string | `"https://patents.google.com/patent/US12322831B2/en"` |  |
| `patents[].title` | string or null | `"Electrolyte membrane for an alkali metal battery"` |  |
| `patents[].status` | string or null | `"Active"` |  |
| `patents[].assignee` | string or null | `"Enpower Greentech, Inc."` |  |
| `patents[].inventors` | array |  |  |
| `patents[].grant_date` | string or null | `"2025-06-03"` |  |
| `patents[].filing_date` | string or null | `"2021-09-27"` |  |
| `patents[].patent_number` | string | `"US12322831B2"` |  |
| `patents[].priority_date` | string or null | `"2020-09-28"` |  |
| `patents[].abstract_snippet` | string or null | `"The present disclosure relates to an electrolyte membrane for an alkali metal or an alkali metal ion battery, comprisin` |  |
| `patents[].publication_date` | string or null | `"2025-06-03"` |  |
| `patents[].thumbnail_image_link` | string or null | `"https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/76/0c/26/10bae5286c8678/US12322831-20250603-D00000.png"` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "sort": "newest",
  "query": "battery temperature management",
  "status": "granted",
  "inventor": "John B Goodenough",
  "countries": [
    "United States"
  ],
  "filed_after": "2000-01-01",
  "max_results": 5,
  "filed_before": "2025-01-01"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "patents": [
    {
      "link": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12322831B2/en",
      "title": "Electrolyte membrane for an alkali metal battery",
      "status": "Active",
      "assignee": "Enpower Greentech, Inc.",
      "inventors": [
        "John B. Goodenough"
      ],
      "grant_date": "2025-06-03",
      "filing_date": "2021-09-27",
      "patent_number": "US12322831B2",
      "priority_date": "2020-09-28",
      "abstract_snippet": "The present disclosure relates to an electrolyte membrane for an alkali metal or an alkali metal ion battery, comprising: a composite membrane comprising an ionically conductive polymer; an alkali met…",
      "publication_date": "2025-06-03",
      "thumbnail_image_link": "https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/76/0c/26/10bae5286c8678/US12322831-20250603-D00000.png"
    },
    {
      "link": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US11049667B2/en",
      "title": "Heat energy-powered electrochemical cells",
      "status": "Expired - Fee Related",
      "assignee": "Hydro-Quebec",
      "inventors": [
        "John B. Goodenough"
      ],
      "grant_date": "2021-06-29",
      "filing_date": "2020-09-01",
      "patent_number": "US11049667B2",
      "priority_date": "2017-10-12",
      "abstract_snippet": "The present disclosure provides a heat energy-powered electrochemical cell including an anode, a cathode, and a solid metal polymer/glass electrolyte. The solid metal polymer/glass electrolyte include…",
      "publication_date": "2021-06-29",
      "thumbnail_image_link": "https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/da/43/6e/105f6991d4c7c5/US11049667-20210629-D00000.png"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Call the API with a Fous API key (`FOUS_API_KEY`). To create one, turn on Developer mode in Fous Studio, then open Keys & connections → API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys).

```bash
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
: "${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example}"

curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 120 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@google-patents",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_patent",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "patent": "US 10,000,000"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
import json
import os
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = os.environ.get("FOUS_API_KEY")
if not api_key:
    raise RuntimeError("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example")

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@google-patents\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_patent\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"patent\": \"US 10,000,000\"\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=120) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
// First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
const apiKey = process.env.FOUS_API_KEY;
if (!apiKey) throw new Error("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example");

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(120_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@google-patents",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_patent",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "patent": "US 10,000,000"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

Or describe the data in plain language: send `{"api":"@google-patents","prompt":"Describe the data you need, with every detail"}` to the same URL. Fous fills in the input, runs the method that fits and returns only the fields you asked for; `data.route.calls[].request` is the exact call it made. Routing is free; the run costs the same.

## Use cases

- Find patents related to an invention and filter results by country or date.
- Review a patent’s claims, citations, classifications, and family publications.
- Compare a company’s patent filings across years and technology areas.
- Identify frequent inventors in a company’s public patent records.
- Track recent public patents assigned to a company.

## FAQ

### Is Fous affiliated with Google Patents?

No. Fous is not affiliated with Google Patents. This workflow reads the public patents.google.com website and returns its data.

### How much does it cost?

Each run costs 1 credit. With pay-as-you-go, a credit costs 1¢; monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a Google Patents account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from patents.google.com when you run it; repeating the same request within a day may return the saved result. Fous checks this workflow automatically; it last passed a check on Sep 29, 2026.

### What patents match an invention description?

Search patents finds records using a plain-language invention description and optional filters.

### What claims and citations does a patent have?

Get patent returns up to 100 numbered claims and up to 50 patents cited by the specified patent.

### How many patents has a company filed by year?

List company patents summarizes filings by year, along with technology areas, top inventors, and recent records.

## Related

- [Espacenet API](https://fous.com/workflows/espacenet.md): European Patent Office public patent search and family information.
- [Google Scholar API](https://fous.com/workflows/google-scholar.md): Google Scholar provides papers, citing papers, ready-made citations and researcher profiles with metrics and up to 20 top-cited papers; public access may be temporarily limited.
- [Google Books API](https://fous.com/workflows/google-books.md): Google Books searches books and provides book details, reader ratings, and local ebook prices when available; newest results sort by publication date.
- [Google Search API](https://fous.com/workflows/google-search.md): Google Search returns public web, image, job, event, related-question, and autocomplete results in Google’s order, with answers and details when available; results may be fewer, omit information, or be empty.
- [PubMed API](https://fous.com/workflows/pubmed.md): PubMed searches medical and life-science articles by topic and retrieves one article’s abstract and publication details; abstracts and free full-text links may be unavailable.
- [Google News API](https://fous.com/workflows/google-news.md): Google News returns recent publisher articles, up to 100 per search, current top stories by topic, country, and language, and local stories by city or region when available.
- [USPTO API](https://fous.com/workflows/uspto.md): USPTO provides U.S. trademark records, name searches for matching filings, and current status and prosecution history for selected marks.
- [Forbes API](https://fous.com/workflows/forbes.md): Forbes provides business news, real-time billionaire rankings and wealth that can change during the trading day, plus ranked Global 2000 companies with financial figures and company profiles.
- [All Legal workflows](https://fous.com/workflows/category/legal)