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Latest Intellectual Property Resources News
January - February 2003

Archive News

Friday, 28 February 2003
  • ICANN - Domain Name Registry Reports Available
    ICANN agreements with operators and sponsors of generic top-level domains (.aero, .biz, .com, .coop, .info, .museum, .name, .net, and .org), provides for ICANN to receive monthly reports covering registration activity, registrar volumes, technical performance, and growth trends. Fifty of the reports have now been posted on the ICANN web site, and are available here.

    | ICANN Website |

    Posted by Philippe Rodhain.
  • STN - PCTFULL on STN - Clipped Images Now Available
    STN has announced that their PCTFULL database (fulltext of PCT Patent Applications from 1978 to date) has been enhanced with clipped images, mostly from the front page. The database now comprise 726,000 records with 425,000 images. Additionally, the search and display field 'Field Availability' (/FA) has been reintroduced and enhanced.

    For further information see the PCTFULL database Summary Sheet.

    | STN Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Firms - United Kingdom - Marks & Clerks
    "Marks & Clerk is the largest firm of patent and trade mark attorneys in the UK, with offices throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and North America. Voted the No. 1 firm of UK patent attorneys for the last 6 years by Managing Intellectual Property magazine, Marks & Clerk's 50 partners and 300 staff offer an unrivalled depth of knowledge and expertise in the field of intellectual property including designs, trade marks, copyrights and patents. Marks & Clerk provide a high quality specialist service that is complimentary to other advisers, and indeed, are experienced in working closely with other professional advisors on many issues."

    Posted by Matthew Downing.
Thursday, 27 February 2003
  • Questel.Orbit and anacubisT Form Strategic Partnership
    Questel.Orbit has announced a strategic partnership with anacubis(tm), a provider of visual data search and analysis software. Questel.Orbit, Inc will integrate the anacubis(tm) Viewer into its QPAT and QWEB services. "The integration will enable end-user patent searchers to retrieve, analyze and generate reports with extensive, reliable patent data. This translates to quicker turn-around, higher productivity and better information sharing throughout and between organizations".

    Read the full Questel.Orbit Press Release here.

    | Questel.Orbit Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • USPTO Releases List of Top 10 Universities Receiving Most Patents in 2002
    The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced the top 10 U.S. universities receiving the most patents during calendar year 2002.
     
    Preliminary
    Rank in 2002*
    Preliminary
    # Patents in 2002*
    Organization*
    (Rank
    in 2001)
    (Number of Patents in 2001)
    1
    431
    University of California**
    (1)
    (402)
    2
    135
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    (2)
    (125)
    3
    109
    California Institute of Technology
    (3)
    (124)
    4
    104
    Stanford University
    (5)
    (84)
    5
    93
    University of Texas
    (4)
    (89)
    6
    81
    Johns Hopkins University
    (6)
    (80)
    7
    81
    University of Wisconsin
    (7)
    (73)
    8
    55
    State University of New York
    (17)
    (41)
    9
    50
    Pennsylvania State University
    (11)
    (52)
    10
    49
    Michigan State University
    (18)
    (39)

    * These are preliminary patent counts and are subject to correction. The final listing of patent counts for U.S. universities in 2002 should be available in late December of 2003.
    ** Includes all campuses.

    | USPTO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

  • Domain Names - .uk Name Space
    During the second half of 2003 the operational procedures for the renewal of .uk domain name registrations will change. Where the domain name is not actively renewed by its expiry date, both the registrant and the domain name registration agent will be sent one final reminder; if there is still no renewal request, the domain name will be suspended for 60 days (during which time it can be reactivated if required) before being cancelled. This new procedure was agreed following consultation with Nominet members and is designed to clarify the position for both registrants and tag holders. It will also streamline the administration for Nominet itself.

    | Nominet Website |

    Posted by Philippe Rodhain.
  • STN International Launches New Biosequence Database
    STN International, has announced the launch of the PCTGEN database, an new source of nucleotide and amino acid sequence information. Containing sequence and patent application information submitted electronically to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), PCTGEN includes both the nucleotide and peptide sequences themselves, as well as associated bibliographic data - as provided by patent applicants. More specifically, records include the following fields: accession number, title, document type, molecule type, patent assignee, patent and application information, organism species, sequence, sequence length, and feature table.

    "PCTGEN is updated weekly, with new sequence information entering the database shortly after publication by WIPO. As such, the database provides a very high degree of currency. Users can also conduct current awareness alerts (SDIs), as well as sequence homology alerts, on a weekly basis".

    | STN Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Firms - Australia - Molins & Co.
    "Molins & Co. is a full service Australian and USA patent and trademark firm in Sydney."

    IP Firms - USA - California - Jackson & Co., LLP
    "Jackson & Co., LLP is a full service law firm specializing in intellectual property law. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, the firm focuses on the procurement and enforcement of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets as well as related licensing for corporations and high tech start-ups in the Sillicon Valley, nationwide, and worldwide with a strong emphasis in the Pacific Rim. The firm's practice encompasses technical areas including electronics, computer systems, data networks, database management, semiconductor devices, computer software, and medical devices."

    Posted by Matthew Downing.
Wednesday, 26 February 2003
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Firms - Vietnam - Ageless Intellectual Property Attorneys & Consultants
    "Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Design, IP rights, Litigation, Licensing"

    Posted by Matthew Downing.
Tuesday, 25 February 2003
  • Derwent - IP Matters
    Thomson Derwent have published the "Thomson Derwent Patent Focus 2003" report.

    "It was another busy 12 months for patent owners and practitioners during 2002. In this review, brought to you by IP Matters, Joff Wild looks at a few of the issues that arose in the area covered by the Trilateral Offices, before going on to review some of the subjects that will be prominent in 2003".

    2002 – a year of consequence

    2003 – change in the air

    Europe Europe
    Software patents directive
    Computer program products
    Reaction to the directive
    The Community Patent
    Jurisdiction issues
    Japan Japan
    Software patent legislation
    Strategic Council on Intellectual Property
    IP Basic Law
    Specialist IP Courts
    Relationship with other countries
    USA USA
    The Supreme Court speaks
    Surrendering equivalents . . .
    Impact on overseas applications
    Claims and counter-claims
    Reform at the USPTO
    Rises in fees?
    Electronic filing
    Focus on quality
    Court issues
    USPTO modernisation

    To read the full report (PDF), visit the Derwent website here.

    | Thomson Derwent Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

  • Domain Names: The .tm Reopened For Registration
    The ccTLD for Turkmenistan, .tm, relaunched last week after several years of inactivity. Registration is now open on the established “first come first served” principle with a minimum registration period of ten (10) years.

    A .tm domain name refers to the country of Turkmenistan, but is also being promoted as having as connection with a trade mark as the letters tm are commonly recognised as the abbreviation for "trade mark". In a similar vein, the .tv domain names refer to the country of TUVALU but have been marketed as having a connection with television.

    For more information on the .tm namespace click here.

    | .TM Website |

    Posted by Philippe Rodhain.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Firms - Vietnam - Winco
    "Vietnam International Trademarks, Patents & Copyrights Agent is one of the leading consulting law firms in Vietnam specializing in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. We provide legal advices regarding the protection of inventions, utility solutions, industrial designs, trademarks, service marks, appellations of origin, copyrights and related matters. Our Consultants also assist clients and investors to matierialize investment opportunities, to develop and implement their projects in Vietnam. WINCO has 11 Partners, 5 Professors, Ph.D. and a total of 65 professional staff including 35 Lawyers, Patent & Trademark Attorneys and Consultants with their scientific, engineering backgrounds and extensive legal experience."

    Posted by Matthew Downing.
Monday, 24 February 2003
  • WIPO - Intellectual Property Laws and Treaties
    Intellectual Property Laws and Treaties and Lois et traités de propriété intellectuelle are the oldest periodicals of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and represent an important source of documentation on intellectual property legislation, recent and past. Their publication (under different names) dates back to 1885 for industrial property legislation and to 1888 for copyright and related rights legislation. The latest 1/2003 edition is now available here.

    | WIPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Conferences
    11 March 2003 -
    Recent Developments in Trade Mark Law at the European Court of Justice - Melbourne, AU (IPRIA)

    Posted by Kristine Baird.
Friday, 21 February 2003
  • Intellectual Property Employment Opportunity - Sydney, Australia
    Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick have two employment opportunities available in their Sydney, Australia Office.  Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick a the leading firm of Australian and New Zealand Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys who are associated with IP Organisers Pty Ltd and IP Menu. Click here for the display ad.

    Patent Attorney
    You will have an honours degree or higher degree in mechanical/electronic engineering and you will need up to 5 years post admission experience in the patent profession. You will be involved in all matters relating to intellectual property including the drafting and prosecution of patent applications and advising across the full spectrum of portfolio management. The successful applicant will be a team player with a high degree of responsibility and initiative and possess in-depth knowledge of Australian, European and US patent law and competence in the licensing of IP in a commercial environment.

    Trainee Patent Attorney
    You will be degree qualified in mechanical/electronic engineering at honours level. Experience working in industry and handling intellectual property matters will be an advantage but is not essential. The successful applicant will display strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. You will work with supervision and we provide access to training and development in a friendly and professional environment. You will be required to undertake study and sit examinations to gain the relevant qualifications.

    Send applications by 7 March 2003 to:
    Email: claudia.ginn@pof.com.au
    Fax: +61 3  9614 6876
    Mail: Claudia Ginn
    Human Resources Manager
    Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick
    PO Box 343 Collins St West
    VIC 8007
    Australia

    Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick is one of Australia’s largest and most progressive firms of Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys. Established in 1888, we employ more than 100 people in offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
Thursday, 20 February 2003
  • The Case of The Disappearing Domain Space
    Yesterday, with no notice, the .uk.co domain was disappeared off the face of the Internet. This has left over 8,000 individuals and businesses (apparently including Amazon and Priceline) with no Web presence or email.

    "The only proof of its existence is a posting on www.uk.co from the top-level domain .co owner - the University of the Andes in Bogota, Colombia - saying that the registrar for the .uk.co domains Net Registrar had failed to agree terms of a new arrangement and so it was "no longer entitled to operate uk.co sub-domains". Therefore, "Net Registrar is not entitled to permit you to use the uk.co domain names that you had registered with them".

    To find out more about this domain name disaster, click here.

    | UK.CO Website |

    Posted by Philippe Rodhain
Wednesday, 19 February 2003
  • WIPO - 10% Increase in International Patent Application Filings in 2002
    WIPO has just reported that for the second consecutive year, the number of international applications received by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under the PCT has exceeded the 100,000 mark in a single year. Nearly 115,000 applications were filed worldwide under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) in 2002, representing a 10% increase over the number received in 2001.

    "The number of such international applications received from developing countries rose from 680 in 1997 to 5,359 in 2002, representing an increase of nearly 700% in the use of the system by applicants from those countries. In 2002, the highest percentage increases by developing countries were recorded by India (51.9%), Mexico (19.6%), Singapore (18.8%) and the Republic of Korea (10.1%). Of the 118 Contracting States of the PCT, 64 are developing countries".
     
    Top ten countries of origin (2002 filings)

    Number of PCT applications

    Percentage share of total

    US United States of America 44,609

    39.1

    DE Germany 15,269

    13.4

    JP Japan 13,531

    11.9

    GB United Kingdom 6,274

    5.5

    FR France 4,877

    4.3

    NL Netherlands 4,019

    3.5

    SE Sweden 2,988

    2.6

    KR Republic of Korea 2,552

    2.2

    CH&LI Switzerland and Liechtenstein 2,469

    2.2

    CA Canada 2,210

    1.9


    The full WIPO press release is available here.

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Firms - United Kingdom - IP Wales
    "A business support initiative helping small/medium enterprises in Wales to grow their business through the use of Intellectual Capital. Recognised by the World Intellectual Property organisation as an example of good practice, IP Wales has the tasks of making firms aware of their IP assets and financially assisting them to protect and commercially exploit their IP assets."

    IP Firms - United Kingdom - flynn-IP
    IP Firms - Ireland - flynn-IP
    "A newly formed (2003) Intellectual Property (IP) practice, flynn-IP looks towards the specific needs of individual inventors and small to medium sized enterprises, with a long-term view to obtaining the maximum benefit from IP rights. Direct representation before the United Kingdom Patent Office, the Irish Patent Office, the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Community Trademark Office (OHIM) is available for direct clients and professional associates. Further services including: Invention development; Brand creation; Assessment & valuation of IP; and infringement & validity options, are available primarily for direct clients."

    IP Firms - Jordan - Petra for Law & Intellectual Property
    "We are providing legal services in aspects related to the litigation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), online dispute resolution (ODR), commercial law & international finance & trade law. intellectual property, computer law, telecommunication law, company and investment law, law of contracts, banking law, taxation law, insurance law and family law. We further conduct academic methodological research, both on the quantitative and qualitative levels. The services of the firm are retained by various, highly regarded organizations and establishments, locally and internationally. Also, our firm has an established cooperative relationships and affiliations with distinguished law firms and private consultation firms worldwide."

    IP Firms - Hong Kong - K.K. Lau & Co.

    Posted by Rodney Cruise  & Matthew Downing.
Tuesday, 18 February 2003
  • WIPO - China - Industry and Private Sector Forum on Intellectual Property and the Knowledge Economy
    The World Intellectual Property Organization has announced that the Government of the People's Republic of China will host the WIPO Summit and Industry and Private Sector Forum on Intellectual Property and the Knowledge Economy in Beijing from 24 to 26 April 2003.

    "Participants will include the Chinese leadership, heads of state, senior government officials and leading international chief executive officers. The Summit and the Forum - which will take place in parallel and joint sessions - are designed to provide an occasion for high-level reflection on the growing importance of intellectual property and its protection in the global knowledge economy".

    The program of events outlining the 3-day Summit and Forum are now available on the WIPO website.

    | WIPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Monday, 17 February 2003
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Conferences
    18 February 2003
    - Intellectual Property and the Development of SMEs - Hong Kong (Hong Kong Goverment)
    27 March 2003
    - Intellectual Property Rights in the Sixth Framework Programme - Brussels, Belgium (IPR-Helpdesk)

    Posted by Kristine Baird.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Firms - Cyprus - Andreas Neocleous & Co
    "Andreas Neocleous & Co, Advocates and Legal Consultants, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
    Main practice areas are Admiralty and Shipping, Banking and Finance, Corporate and Commercial, E-Business, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, Litigation and Arbitration, Tax Law and International Tax planning, and European Union Law. The firm was established in 1965 by its Managing Partner Andreas Neocleous. It has grown steadily and is now one of the largest in Cyprus. Its head office is based in Limassol, which is the commercial centre of Cyprus and home to many International companies."

    Posted by Matthew Downing.
Friday, 14 February 2003
  • Canada - CIPO To Cease Paper Publication of CPOR
    The Canadian Intellectual Property Office announced on 12 February that they will no longer distribute paper copies of the Canadian Patent Office Record (CPOR). This will become effective from 1 April 2003. The CPOR will continue to be available on the CIPO Web site at Canadian Patent Office Record (CPOR) (updated weekly) andon CD-ROM.

    Further information is available from the CIPO website here.

    | CIPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Thursday, 13 February 2003
  • Questel-Orbit - New PlusPat Enhancements
    Questel-Orbit have released a number of enhancements to their international patents file, PlusPat. The enhancements include:

    1. Application and Priority Dates now available in the Family Displays
    The PlusPat family displays now include the application and priority dates as well as all associated applications and priority numbers for an extensive family. The new family displays also include all the ECLA and US Patent Classifications codes for all the members as well.

    2. Assignee and Inventor Information from the Corresponding National Files
    Assignee names and information has also been added from the national files (US (Grant and Application), EP, PCT, and JAPIO) to the corresponding PlusPat records and is displayed in the PA0 field. This greatly enhances both search and display because of the standardized assignees used in the DOCDb portion of PlusPat, as well as some of the transliterated names in the Japanese records. Inventor names have also been added from selected records in JAPIO, correcting the transliterated non-Japanese inventor spellings. This new data is searchable in the PA and IN fields respectively.

    3. Filing Details for US Patents/Applications
    Filing details for US patents and applications are now displayable in the regular PlusPat display formats, allowing you to easily find related patents and applications. The Filing Details are not yet available in the PlusPat family displays, but will be added later this year.

    4. Kind Code descriptions added to the STGS display format
    Patent publication kind codes descriptions have been added to the STGS and MSTG display formats in PlusPat, allowing you to see the kind code descriptions.

    To find out more visit the Questel-Orbit Website.

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • OHIM - Community Design FAQ
    OHIM have just published a Frequently Asked Questions page on the Community design. Some of the questions covered include:
    - What is a design?
    - What is a product?
    - Why a Community design?
    - Why protect your designs?
    - What is the difference in the scope of protection of a registered Community design (RCD) and an unregistered Community design (UCD)?
    - What are the differences between a registered and an unregistered Community design?
    - What are the representation requirements before OHIM for RCD applications?
    - When will an agent (or Professional representative) be necessary?
    - Who is entitled to represent a third party before the Office?
    - Can trade mark attorneys or legal practitioners also act as design attorneys?


    There are dozens more questions and answers and this should provide a perfect website for anyone wanting to find out more about the Community Design. The full FAQ can be found here.

    | OHIM Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • MicroPatent Releases New Aureka Functionality for Improved IP Analysis information
    MicroPatent have just announced an enhancement to its Aureka IP management platform - "ThemeScape with Colorized Content Review". The new functionality allows users to compare and contrast technology portfolios, providing increased productivity and insight related to due diligence projects, competitive intelligence studies, R&D stage gate reviews, and IP-related licensing analysis.

    "The Internet-based Aureka product includes various visualization tools, one of which is text mining via MicroPatent’s proprietary ThemeScape software. This tool analyzes the text of documents, identifies key themes, and uses machine algorithms to categorize subject matter and plot it on a topographical map. The result is a high-level perspective showing how one set of records compares to another, as well as areas of technological concentration. Aureka’s industry-leading analytical and visualization capabilities allow users to make informed business decisions related to their intellectual property".

    To find out more about MicroPatent and Aureka, visit the MicroPatent website.

    | MicroPatent Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Conferences
    20 February 2003 -
    Legal Update Breakfast on Copyright - Melbourne, AU (LIV)
    10 - 11 June 2003 - PATMG Patent Jamboree - London, GB (Thomson Current Patents)
    11 March 2003 -
    Intellectual Property Master Class - Sydney, AU (IPSANZ/Key Media)
    26 March 2003 -
    Intellectual Property Master Class - Melbourne, AU (IPSANZ/Key Media)

    Posted by Kristine Baird.
Wednesday, 12 February 2003
  • Delphion - Free Web Seminar
    Delphion are hosting a free web seminar called "Advanced Search Techniques." The aim of the seminar is to teach how to use Delphion's Query Language to better broaden and narrow your searches, and achieve better ranked results.

    Topics will include:
    - Overview of Delphion's Query Language
    - Field Abbreviations
    - Boolean, Proximity, and Thesaurus operators
    - Wildcards and Stemming

    The free web seminar is being held on Wednesday, 19 February 2003 at US Pacific: 9 am (US Mountain: 10 am - US Central: 11 am - US Eastern: 12 pm - Greenwich Mean Time: 5 pm)

    | Delphion Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Australia - New Commissioner of Patents & Registrar of Designs
    IP Australia has announced the search for the new Commissioner of Patents and Registrar of Designs is over. Taking over the position from 17 February 2003 will be Mrs Fatima Beattie. She is currently the Program Manager, Quality Assurance and Compliance at the National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals. She has previously held positions as Director, Industry with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and as Director, Policy Support - Quality Assurance with the Defence Acquisition Organisation. She has worked as a chemical engineer in private enterprise and in Defence. Mrs Beattie's academic qualifications include Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) from RMIT, Master of Science from Cranfield Institute of Technology (UK) and she is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

    | IP Australia Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Firm - Russia - Tria Robit Agency
    "Web Forum on Intellectual Property Rights and Information Law in Russian"

    IP Firms - Turkey - Hukuki Net - Turkish Law Library
    "Turkish Law Resources and legal research. Legal forums, articles, programs, news, books, law contests and cases."

    IP Firms - Japan - Omori &Yaguchi
    "Japanese patent attorney with offices in Tokyo and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering services for patent, design, trademark and copyright matters."

    IP Firms - USA - Pennsylvania - Omori &Yaguchi
    "Japanese patent attorney with offices in Tokyo and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering services for patent, design, trademark and copyright matters."

    IP Firms - Cameroon - Ngu and Co Law Firm
    "Established in 1994, NGU & CO LAW FIRM is principally engaged in the general practice of Cameroon Law. It should be noted that Cameroon is a bilingual and bijural country. English and French are the official Languages; civil law is of French origin and common Law of English origin, as modified by National legislation. NGU & CO LAW FIRM has grown to become one of Cameroon’s leading bilingual and bijural Law Firms. It is notorious for its expertise in Commercial and Intellectual Property law. The Firm has a broadly based practice with a very high reputation for offering a full range of quality legal services. The client base is Cameroonian, European, Asian and American. Most of the Firm’s clients are foreign investors who take advantages of the Firm’s very high degree of specialisation in Cameroon’s Investment Law. The Firm also has a very high international reputation in Intellectual Property Law and currently works in close collaboration with some of the leading international Intellectual Property Law Firms and networks. The Firm currently has 5 lawyers and 5 wage earners including legal support staff."

    Posted by Rodney Cruise  & Matthew Downing.
Tuesday, 11 February 2003
  • IP-Discover - Patent Search and Download Software Update
    IP Discover have released a new version of their patent search and download software

    "Use IP-Discover to explore and research the worlds public patent databases. Simple to use for the novice, but powerful enough for the professional searcher. 

    Now you can Download, Convert, Merge, Organize, Browse and Print patent documents with one easy to use Windows application, from Win95 to WinXP. 

    IP-Discover integrates well with Word and Excel, allowing for easy document handling and report generation. It handles and displays all the current patent document formats, and allows for the use of third party document viewers.

    We invite you to browse the description and screen shots, to better understand how you can use IP-Discover to simplify and illuminate your relationship with patent documents".

    | IP-Discover Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise
    .
  • UK - CIPA Comments on Proposed UK Patents Amendment Bill
    The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA) is the professional and examining body for patent agents (also known as patent attorneys) in the United Kingdom. CIPA has submitted to the Patent Office its Comments on the Consultation Paper on a proposed Patents Act (Amendment) Bill. The comments by CIPA are now available from their website here. The original UK Patent Office consultation document issued in November 2002 is available here.

    | CIPA Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • USPTO - New USPTO Museum Exhibit Opens to Celebrate the Centennial of Aviation
    The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will open its new exhibition on 12 February 2003 centering on the theme “Invention Takes Flight”.

    "No invention has inspired more awe than the flying machine. Throughout the century since Orville and Wilbur Wright’s first successful flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903, inventors have built new, better and faster flying machines, reaching loftier and loftier heights. “Invention Takes Flight” examines not only the role aviation and aerospace inventions have played in sparking the imagination of the entire world, but also in creating whole new industries that provide jobs for millions of Americans. The museum exhibit highlights a 100-year timeline featuring significant patents and trademarks and accompanying artifacts that have earned a place in aviation history".

    The exhibition will be held at the Patent and Trademark Museum at 2121 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, USA.

    | USPTO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Monday, 10 February 2003
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    6 - 7 March 2003 - Seminar on the Madrid System of the International Registration of Marks - Geneva, Switzerland (WIPO)
    14 March 2003 - Why Patents are Crucial to your R & D Success - Paris, France (Derwent)
    18 March 2003 - Why Patents are Crucial to your R & D Success - North Carolina, USA (Derwent)
    20 March 2003 - Why Patents are Crucial to your R & D Success - California, USA (Derwent)
    25 March 2003 - Why Patents are Crucial to your R & D Success - Cambridge, UK (Derwent)

    IP Conferences

    Posted by Kristine Baird.
  • South Korea Joins Madrid Protocol
    The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced the accession by the Republic of Korea to the Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks. The Madrid Protocol, which enters into force for the Republic of Korea on April 10, 2003, is an international trademark registration system that facilitates the protection of a trademark in multiple countries. The accession of the Republic of Korea to the Protocol brings the number of participating countries to 57.

    | WIPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Friday, 07 February 2003
  • Dialog - Finland and Sweden Trademarks
    Dialog have announced that they have added images to the TRADEMARKSCAN® files from Finland (File 679), and Sweden (File 675).

    TRADEMARKSCAN File 675 (Sweden) contains valid applications and registrations since 1885, plus unpublished applications and inactive unpublished and published trademarks since 1987. More than 77,000 trademarks, representing one-third of the file, now have associated images.

    TRADEMARKSCAN File 679 (Finland) contains valid applications and registrations published since 1891, plus inactive, unpublished and published trademarks since 1995. About 36,000 trademarks now have associated images, out of the file's total of approximately 120,000 trademarks.

    Dialog have also announced that all European trademark databases, as well as the International Register database of trademark information published by the World Intellectual Property Organization, are now updated on a weekly schedule.

    | Dialog Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Conferences
    03 March 2003 Legal status of Japanese patents and utility models Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    03 March 2003 INPADOC Datenbanken - Einführung Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    04 March 2003 INPADOC Datenbanken Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    18 March 2003 Introduction to patent information from Japan Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    25 March 2003 ESPACE® CD-ROMs and Mimosa Software Vienna [EPO]
    26 March 2003 IP information on the internet Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    26 March 2003 Japanese patent information on the internet Vienna, Austria  [EPO]
    27 March 2003 esp@cenet® - ein Suchdienst stellt sich vor Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    27 March 2003 Introduction to the INPADOC databases Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    28 March 2003 INPADOC databases Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    15 April 2003 Utilisation d'esp@cenet® Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    15 April 2003 Les bases de données INPADOC - introduction Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    16 April 2003 Les bases de données INPADOC Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    06 May 2003 Legal status of Japanese patents and utility models Vienna, Austria  [EPO]
    07 May 2003 Using esp@cenet® Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    07 May 2003 Searching in esp@cenet® Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    02 June 2003 Using esp@cenet® Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    03 June 2003 Searching in esp@cenet® Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    03 June 2003 Introduction to the INPADOC databases Vienna, Austria  [EPO]
    04 June 2003 INPADOC databases Vienna, Austria [EPO]
    12 June 2003 Introduction to patent information from Japan Vienna, Austria [EPO]

    Posted by Kristine Baird.
Thursday, 06 February 2003
  • WIPO - Electronic Forum for Proposals for Change to the PCT E-Filing Standard
    WIPO have just posted some new "proposals for change" to the PCT e-filing standard from the Japanese Patent office, Korean Intellectual Property Office, Trilateral Office and the International Bureau. The files are:

    PCT/EF/PFC 02/003 Transmission (Annex F, section 5) - proposal by the Japan Patent Office

    PCT/EF/PFC 02/009 "Electronic Packaging" (Annex F, sections 5 and 7) - proposal by the Korean Intellectual Property Office

    PCT/EF/PFC 02/010 "Modifications of XML DTDs for the E-PCT Standard" (Annex F, Appendix I) - proposal by the European Patent Office, the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Japan Patent Office

    PCT/EF/PFC 02/012 "New XML DTDs for the E-PCT Standard" (Annex F, Appendix I) - proposal by the International Bureau

    PCT/EF/PFC 02/013 "Paragraph Numbering" (Annex F, section 3.1.1.1.1) proposal by the International - Bureau

    Further information is available from the WIPO website here.

    | WIPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Wednesday, 05 February 2003
  • TouchGraph Google Browser
    I have discovered an interesting addition to resources for data mining on the web. A new java applet called TouchGraph Google Browser by TouchGraph LLC provides a graphical display or map or URLs and their interlinking. It is hard to explain without actually using it. I have included a image capture below however I recommend that you visit the site and try it. For example, type in www.ipmenu.com and see the resultant map.

    There is also a applet called "TouchGraph PubMed Browser". This browser interface allows a user to search PubMed in a new and interesting way. Click here for more information.

    | TouchGraph Google Browser Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Conferences
    26 March 2003 - Understanding the Community Design Law - Antwerp, Belgium (OHIM/MARQUES)
    28 March 2003 - Understanding the Community Design Law - Utrecht, Holland (OHIM/MARQUES)
    9 - 14 April 2003 - International Fair for Inventions and New Technology - Genf, Switzerland
    19 - 20 May 2003 - PATINFO - Illemau, Germany
    21 - 23 May 2003 - PATLIB 2003 - Liege, Belgium (EPO)
    3 - 5 June 2003 - ComInfo Patent Information Fair - Frankfurt, Germany
    16 - 18 October 2003 - INNOVATION International Fair for Inventions - Gdansk, Poland
    19 - 22 October 2003 - INFONORTICS - Nimes, France (INFONORTICS)
    30 October - 3 November 2003 - IENA International Fair for Inventions - Nurnberg, Germany (IENA)
    4 - 6 December 2003 - ONLINE Database and Information - London, Great Britain

    Posted by Kristine Baird.
Tuesday, 04 February 2003
  • USA - Revisions to the 21st Century Strategic Plan
    IP Menu notes that revisions to the USPTO's 21st Century Strategic Plan have been posted on the USPTO website (Click Here).

    "Based upon the valuable and insightful feedback we have received from our constituency groups and others, the 21st Century Strategic Plan has been modified as follows:

    - An administrative alternative to deferred examination has been included that achieves most of the benefits of the original legislative proposal for deferral of examination. As a result, legislation will no longer be necessary.
    - USPTO will contract with private sector commercial search organizations in lieu of the previously proposed requirement for applicant-commissioned search reports.
    - USPTO will accelerate the analysis of the necessary changes to patent laws and rules affecting restriction practice and will recommend a new practice before the end of the 108th Congress.
    - Withdrawing the requirement for mandatory Information Disclosure Statements, USPTO will continue to rely on voluntary submissions.
    - USPTO will demonstrate the plan’s concepts through elaborate testing and evaluation methods, most notably in the areas of outsourcing, quality enhancements and e-Government.
    - While the long-term patent pendency goal remains 18 months, this goal will not be achieved in the near future because of the higher priority placed on quality and patent e-Government initiatives. However, USPTO will produce, on average, a first Office action for first-filed U.S. non-provisional applications at the time of 18-month publication. In addition, a patent search report for other patent applications will be issued in the same time frame.
    - USPTO has modified the fee restructuring proposal as follows:
    - Substituted the original proposal with a linear fee system to ensure that fees charged for excessive claims and pages of complex specifications are proportional to the increased processing costs.
    - Established a single patent filing, search and examination fee with provision for partial refund.
    - Eliminated surcharges for filing continuations and patentably indistinct claims.
    - Eliminated requirement for payment of separate fee to trigger examination.
    - Eliminated authority for Director to reduce examination fee amounts for micro-entities.
    - Replaced authority for Trademark fee adjustments in excess of Consumer Price Index (CPI) with establishment of three filing fee amounts".

    A full copy of the revised plan is available in PDF here.

    | USPTO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Firms - India - Nair's Worldwide IPR.COM
    "Nair's worldwide ipr.com, intellectual property Law Web Server world wide patents,trade marks, Attorneys, Agents, IPRconsultants"

    Posted by Matthew Downing.
Monday, 03 February 2003
  • Trademarks - INTA Madrid Protocol Website
    Whilst the Madrid Protocol has been around a long time, the US will soon join. This has prompted INTA to set up the INTA (International Trademark Association) Madrid Protocol website.

    "U.S. practitioners will soon be able to file one trademark application with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) and have their marks protected in any country that has adopted the Madrid Protocol. Also, all member countries of the Madrid Protocol will be able to extend their international registration to the United States without filing a trademark application directly with the USPTO".

    To find out more, visit INTA's Madrid website here.

    | INTA Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Hong Kong - Trade Marks Training
    The Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department (HKIPD) is running workshops to help practitioners understand and maximise the use of the new online trade mark search system which was formally launched in Hong Kong on 30 January 2003. The workshop focuses on the effective use of the new online search system.

    Details of the workshop:

    Date 10 February 2003
    Time 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Venue Function Room (Room 2501)
    Intellectual Property Department
    25th Floor, Wu Chung House
    213 Queen's Road East
    Wan Chai, Hong Kong
    Language: Medium of language Cantonese

    Admission is free and places will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. For more information click here.

    | HKIPD Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Australia - IP Australia Launch New Website
    Late last week IP Australia (the Australia Patent Office) without much fanfare, launched their new website. The new streamlined website has better navigation and provides easier access to the large number of online resources IP Australia offer.

    - Improved navigation and useability through through the multi-tiered navigation menus;
    - A mailing list service to help keep users up to date with news from IP Australia, including official notices, job openings and hearing decisions;
    - An improved search engine to help users find what they need quickly; and
    - A new look and feel, providing users with a cleaner, more intuitive interface.

    To find our more, visit the new IP Australia website here.

    | IP Australia Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Organisations - National Intellectual Property Organization - NIPO
    "NIPO is the umbrella organization for Intellectual Property (IP) laws and related matters in India for promoting and developing IP and to interact with other organizations in India and abroad, which are active in this field. NIPO’s mission is to work as a specialized forum for the development, promotion, and protection of intellectual property. NIPO would help in introducing prudent IP management practices within corporations and promote an IP culture while protecting India's interests in the transition to uniform IP laws".

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Friday, 31 January 2003
  • Questel-Orbit - New Versions of Imagination (Version 3.1) Now Available
    David Dickens, the Director of Patent Business has announced the release of version 3.1 of their Imagination software. It includes a number of significant improvements, including secure HTTPS session, as well as incorporating enhancements made to the Questel-Orbit service: Patents and Trademark databases, SDI Alerts, as well a new service, Domain Names.

    ACCESS: The Questel-Orbit Internet connection method affords the speed of an Internet connection with the security of encrypted search sessions, thanks to a HTTPS (secure Internet session) using standard SSL between your PC and Questel Orbit's server. All the aspects of your session, logon and password, strategies and displays are encrypted, which makes Imagination the most secure method available to carry out your research. Moreover, Imagination's Questel-Orbit Internet connection method is now compatible with all proxy servers.

    PATENTS: The Patents service now includes two new databases.
    1. PCTFULL contains the full-text of PCT published applications, as well as bibliographic information. Using the Questel Orbit Interface Parameter, PCTFULL is found under "Search by subject, on one or several databases", "Search by number on one or more databases" and in "Full-text search".
    2. DWPIMC, contains descriptors of Derwent classifications, and is available under "Classifications".

    TRADEMARKS: Searching by "Exact Mark" was improved to be more precise. From now on, if you search the exact mark COKE COLA, you will find COKE COLA and Coke, but you will not retrieve marks such as Coca-Cola VANILLA or Coke LIGHT.

    ALERTS: The recent improvements relating to SDIs (alert services) have been integrated into Imagination 3.1. The SDI option is accessible from the Results panel. Select "Management of search strategies" then "Automatic". After selecting "Save", the new SDI assistant window opens, displaying the new functions and features available for SDIs on Questel-Orbit.

    DOMAIN NAMES: Searching Domain Names is now available using Imagination 3.1. Use the Questel-Orbit Internet connection method and select this new service.


    If you are a Questel-Orbit Customer, then the software is free! To find out more visit the Questel-Orbit website here.

    | Questel-Orbit Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Hong Kong - Trade Mark Database Now Available
    You may recall back in early December 2002 we reported the trial of the new Hong Kong trade marks database. Well, the HK Intellectual Property Department has just announced that the trial is over and full access is now available (from 30 January 2003). The new on-line system contains all registered trade marks and trade mark applications in force on the Hong Kong Register of Trade Marks.

    "The new system is part of the e-Government initiative to promote e-business in the community," the Director of Intellectual Property, Mr Stephen Selby, said today. "This service marks the roll-out of a series of e-commerce initiatives. When the project is completed in 2004, the public will be able to search our databases of Hong Kong trade marks, patents and registered designs on-line; file trade mark, patent and design applications through the Internet and check for statutory advertisements for new applications for registration of intellectual property rights on the World Wide Web. These developments will help businesses in Hong Kong and strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international centre for intellectual property transactions," he added.

    For more information visit the HKIPD Trade Mark Database.

    | HKIPD Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Delphion - Assignee Searches Now Simplified with Corporate Tree
    Delphion have announced and enhancement to their service called "Corporate Tree". "Corporate Tree helps end Assignee name confusion caused by mergers and acquisitions and the many different ways an Assignee's name can be shown on patent documents".

    Original Assignee
    The Original Assignee feature in Corporate Tree helps you find US patent records for your targeted Assignee -- even when those records are filed under different variations of the Assignee's name. This means you don't need to perform separate searches for each variation of the name.

    Hierarchy
    The Hierarchy feature in Corporate Tree shows you how an Assignee name fits into a corporate hierarchy that takes into account mergers and acquisitions. And then lets you search for US patents by selecting Assignee names from within that corporate hierarchy display. This means you can find applications and patents filed by companies that no longer exist and whose patents have been reassigned.

    Corporate Tree is only available for US patents. You can find out more from Delphion here.

    | Delphion Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • PIUG 2003 Annual Conference - Update from Lucy Akers
    The latest update from PIUG Chair, Lucy Akers on the upcoming 2003 PIUG Annual Conference:

    "
    Please remember to register for the PIUG 2003 annual meeting on or before Feb. 1 to get the lower conference registration rate. In order to qualify for the early registration rate of USD$195, you must be a PIUG member and your meeting registration form and payment must be postmarked or received on or before Feb. 1. The conference fee will increase to USD$350 after Feb. 1.

    The following workshop fees will also increase after Feb. 1:
    May 3, Tony Trippe, "Patinformatics: Patent Analysis for Fun and Profit" - includes lunch
    May 3, Magister Ltd., Stephen Adams, "Introduction to worldwide patent information"
    May 9, Magister Ltd.,"Value-Added Patent Searching"
    PIUG appreciates the generous donation which will be provided by these workshop hosts to help fund future events! You must register separately for nearly all of the workshops.

    When making your hotel room reservations at the Holiday Inn (+1 312 836 5000), please be sure to mention PIUG!!

    Thanks to our new Gold sponsor, OmniViz

    We also have a few more very exciting speakers!!
    - Dr. Heinz-Gerd Kneip from BASF Aktiengesellschaft; his presentation title will be announced soon
    - Richard Kurt, "Data Visualisation - Experiences and Lessons Learned at 3M"
    - Dr. David Martin, CEO, M-CAM, "Detecting Quality IP to Protect Present and Future Value: Beyond Boolean"
    - Peter Steele, Thomson Current Patents, “Patent Analysis for Competitive Intelligence - Merging Facts with Opinions”
    - ClearForest - the speaker name and presentation title will be announced soon.


    Saturday, May 3 to Friday, May 9, 2003
    Holiday Inn Chicago - Mart Plaza
    350 N. Orleans St., Chicago, IL 60654, United States
    Tel: +1 312 8365000, Fax: +1 312 2229508
    http://www.chicago.martplaza.holiday-inn.com 

    | PIUG Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Firms - USA - Virginia - Just Patents, LLC
    "Solo patent practice specializing in patent application preparation and prosecution, and patent license negotiations. Our president, Stephen E. Clark of Norfolk, is Virginia's longest practicing registered patent practitioner."

    Posted by Matthew Downing.
Thursday, 30 January 2003
  • Denmark - Danish Patent and Trademark Office - Introduction of IPscore® 2.0
    Erik Bjoern Nielsen from the Danish Patent and Trademark Office has just told me about version 2.0 of their IPscore software. IPscore® 2.0 is a "new and significantly improved" evaluation tool for a general evaluation of patents and development projects in technology-based companies.

    "IPscore® 2.0 has been developed on the basis of experience from the basic model IPscore® which was introduced in January 2001. IPscore® 2.0 is the result of a development cooperation between the Danish Patent and Trademark Office, professor Jan Mouritsen, the Copenhagen Business School and a number of large, development-oriented Danish companies".

    "What is IPscore® ? IPscore® is a practical tool used by all companies to evaluate and manage patents strategically. In addition, experience based on tests and further development of the IPscore® shows that the IPscore® concept may be used for the evaluation of concrete development projects from the idea arises till the termination of the patent"

    | Danish Patent & Trademark Office Website | IPscore Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • TM Alert - New Software "Helps Businesses Protect Valuable Corporate Trademarks"
    IP Tools, LLC of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania has announced the introduction of its newest product “TM Alert”.

    "TM Alert is a patent pending downloadable desktop tool which enables users to automatically monitor the U.S. Trademark registry for the publication and registration of trademarks and service marks. TMAlert can monitor for publishing, cancelled or registering marks. TMAlert does a job for which most law firms charge hundreds of dollars. The system can be set to automatically update, and can track according to trademark product class, competitor name or keyword. The tool also includes a customized reporting tool. The tool which is priced at $99.97 is being introduced at $69.97. Users can “test drive” the product before buying".

    "TMAlert was co-developed by IPTools’ CEO and founder, Scott J. Fields, a Philadelphia-based intellectual property lawyer and Softnik Technologies of Chennai India. Softnik is the developer of a number of well known and popular desktop internet-related monitoring and marketing applications including “Good Key Words” and “Domain Name Analyzer”".


    | TM Alert Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • INPADOC News - PCT Non Entry For Russia
    The Russian Patent Office has started to supply INPADOC with data on PCT non-entries into the national phase. The current data coverage is August 2000 through October 2002. The PRS date indicated in the records is the date of the international applications deemed to be withdrawn for Russia. This data will be loaded in the old and the new system in week 6/2003. For more information click here.

    | EPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Conferences
    28 February 2003 - The EuroLegal 10th Annual Trade Marks Conference - London, GB (EuroLegal)
    11 - 12 March 2003 - Conference Euroforum - Paris, FR (Euroforum)
    24 - 26 April 2003 - WIPO Summit on Intellectual Property and Knowledge Economy - Beijing, China (WIPO)


    Posted by Kristine Baird.
  • IP MENU Update
    IP MENU has updated the following Intellectual Property Resources:  

    IP Firms - USA - Washington DC - Austin-Hollands & Smith
    "Austin-Hollands and Smith specializes in the preparation and prosecution of patents in the electrical groups of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. We have experience with a range of technologies including imaging systems, visualization systems, optics, database systems, business methods, computer-aided manufacturing, operating systems, compilers, debuggers, networking, bioinformatics, mechanical devices and embedded controllers. All attorneys at the firm are former Patent Examiners at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All Attorneys have engineering experience prior to entering the legal profession. Austin-Hollands and Smith is a certified HUBZone organization by the U.S. Small Business Administration."

    Posted by Matthew Downing.