New invention? Google it first

This week, Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) launched another vertical search site -- this one devoted to patents. Yes, now you can easily look up information on the seven million patents in the U.S.

True, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has its own database. But it simply can't bring the kind of resources Google can.

Not surprisingly, the Google site is a bit fun. For example, there are five patents that pop-up on the front page (randomly). For example, one was for a "toilet seat deodorizer apparatus" (what will they think of next?)

When you search for a patent, you also have the ability to zoom in or out on the drawings. Other details include claims, citations, and references.

Depending on who you are, this new resource can either be a tremendous time saver or a tremendous time sink. Wasting time at work has never been more fun -- or informative.

Now if only they can do this with the SEC's EDGAR database. It would certainly make my life easier.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including the Complete M&A Handbook. He also operates DealProfiles.com.