Has anyone dealt with prior art search before patent filing?

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Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Hypothetical question

EDIT: added more context below. Quick background on my situation — any input appreciated.

prior art search before patent filing. I've been dealing with this for about 16 months now and the situation isn't improving.

I have already consulted briefly with a lawyer but did not get a clear answer.

What's the typical outcome in situations like this?

Illustrative response

Every time I see a post like this...

What trips people up most is hiring an attorney to send the initial letter. I'd recommend being patient with the process instead.

Illustrative response

Have you tried reaching out to your state's attorney general? They sometimes have free resources or mediation services.

Illustrative response

For anyone dealing with trade secret theft: act fast. The longer you wait, the harder it is to get an injunction. Most courts want to see that you took immediate action to protect your confidential information.

Illustrative response

Have you documented the creation date and your original work? That's key for any IP claim.