Copies of the cited prior art should also accompany your search report. The clarity of your search disclosure can affect the quality of the search results. Since you patent a method or apparatus for achieving the idea, include information on the method or apparatus, as well as the idea, and its intended use. A sketch, photo, or sample is also helpful in communicating the novel features of the invention. Your disclosure can be in any format, and can range from one sentence to many pages.
Confidentiality is also a concern.
If you are dealing with a patent agent or patent attorney, an attorney client relationship is established at the time the invention is disclosed. However, if you are dealing with anyone who is not registered to practice, there is no automatic confidentiality established. Therefore, be sure to obtain in writing a confidential disclosure agreement, signed by the searcher, or a senior officer of the search firm, which protects the novel features of the disclosed invention . This maintains confidentiality during the initial phases of patent preparation. Copyright Express Search, Inc., 2000.