To get started, this two-minute video demonstrating Google Patent Search is a good first step. For more targeted searches of the most current patents in the U.S., check out the five-minute video tutorial on searching USPTO.
Stopfakes.Gov -- Toolkits about the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) environment in various countries.
For additional resources, contact your local Patent and Trademark Depository Library;
visit the USPTO Public Search Facility or the USPTO Main STIC Library.