........... British patents come under Euro-Patent laws
There are far too many sub-catagories eg Off the top of my head-
Automobiles/Cars would be sub-divided into.... Vehicles/Engines/Bodys/Electrics/Dashboards/Brakes/Axles/Wheels etc etc.
You need to pay for a Patent Searcher these days. Try
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/informatics.htmOther non-European countrys have their own Patent Offices, and their own Patent laws. ..........searches have become very complicated..........
-And the following URL will show you how complicated Patents have become. showing there is little agreement even between European countrys.
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Mike Kremer adds latest additional info:
"Parliament postpones vote over revisions to reform agreement"
Yesterday 03 July 2012
-Reform legislation has stalled once again in the European Union (EU) after members of the EU Parliament baulked at last-minute revisions to a deal struck with member states in December 2011.
Most of the details of the proposed unified patent system were agreed in March 2011 by 25 EU states, with Spain and Italy not joining in. The proposal then stalled amid wrangling over the location of the patent court, which will resolve disputes. But last Friday.............>
http://www.nature.com/news/single-patent-legislation-hits-another-roadblock-1.10931 
