ipmenutop.jpg (8746 bytes) ipmenutop2.jpg (11607 bytes) ipmenutop3.jpg (10600 bytes)

Latest Intellectual Property Resources News

Archive News

Friday, 30 August 2002
  • STN - JAPIO Reloaded & Enhanced
    STN have announced that the JAPIO patent database, which provides the most comprehensive English Language access to Japanese unexamined patent applications (Kokai Tokkyo Koho), has been reloaded and enhanced. The completely reloaded JAPIO file comprises
    stn.gif (3040 bytes)data from the Patent Abstracts of Japan (PAJ), 1976 to date, enhanced with bibliographic data from INPADOC, 1973-1997 (approx. 1.6 million records). JAPIO on STN now comprises over 7.7 million records. In addition to the new and improved content, JAPIO has been enhanced with simultaneous left and right truncation (SLART) in the basic index and the availablity of TIFF images. Full details are available on the JAPIO summary sheet.

    | STN Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • New Tools on esp@cenet
    epo.gif (1337 bytes)As reported on the PIUG news list, esp@cenet have a couple of new features that enhance searching on the esp@cenet system. IP Menu is not sure how long they have been available but both provide useful tools to enhance searching. You can search for the best ECLA codes with a new search tool and cited references from the search report are now in included (and hyperlinked) in the bibliographic abstract.

    | esp@cenet Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Australia - New Statutory Fees From 1 September 2002
    j0315542.jpg (17646 bytes)Changes to IP Australia's statutory fees under the Patents, Trade Marks and Designs Act will come into effect on Sunday 1 September 2002. IP Australia indicate that the fees will:

    - Accommodate an electronic business environment;
    - Provide some simplification and consistency of the fee schedules;
    - Continue to implement a 'a whole of life' cost recovery fee structure while realigning some costs with fees to ensure that IP Australia continues to provide high quality products and services; and
    - Maintain the on-going viability of IP Australia while keeping the prices of services internationally comparable.

    To find out more on changes to official fees visit the IP Australia website or contact IP Organisers.

    | IP Australia Website | IP Organisers Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Thursday, 29 August 2002

Wednesday, 28 August 2002

  • Pharmaceutical Patent News - Thomson Acquires Current Drugs Ltd.
    It has been announced that the Thomson Corporation has the UK-based Current Drugs Ltd. (Current Drugs), Current Drugs provides databases, systems and services such as the Investigational Drugs database (IDdb). Thomson also provide Derwent World Patent Index, Derwent GENESEQ, and ISI Web of Science. The full Press Release is available here.

    currentpatents.jpg (4223 bytes)"I am delighted that Current Drugs has joined Thomson, enabling us to grow this successful business and better meet the needs of customers," said Ian Tarr, Managing Director of Current Drugs. "Thomson is well-known in the industry as a leading publisher of widely-used, comprehensive databases and integrated information solutions, and I look forward to working with colleagues at Derwent and ISI to deliver a range of integrated information solutions on our IDdb platform."

    | Current Patents Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Tuesday, 27 August 2002

  • STNews Now Available - July/August Edition
    The July/August Edition of STNews (a bimonthly newsletter) is now available in both HTML and PDF format from STN. The current issue includes articles on the following:
    Feature - Get a competitive edge with current-awareness alerts on STN
    Help Worldwide - STN--Count on us for the best support
    Database News - Database News Articles
    Search Tip - How to get graphics with your STN alert results
    Ask REGgie - Using POLYLINK to find monomers used to form a condensation polymer
    STN on the Web - STN on the Web enhancements
    STN Easystreet - STN Easy enhancements
    To find out more, or to subscribe, visit the STN website.

    | STN Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Monday, 26 August 2002

  • Derwent's Web of Software
    derwentwos.jpg (15482 bytes)
    Derwent have announced the trial of their "Web of Software" system. It is a web-based repository of "all the information needed to launch a global software or business methods prior-art search, bringing together patents, journal articles, technical publications and disclosures, along with links to intellectually selected and indexed websites". The system allows you to search across the entire collection and covers the following subsets of information:
    Patent documents
    - Over 196,000 software and business methods patents from 1963 onwards
    Journals
    - 993,000 articles selected from 2,000 different titles
    Technical publications
    - Coverage of 1000 periodicals, trade and technical publications
    Websites
    - Relevant websites are assessed and indexed

    Web of Software is due to be released late in 2002, however Derwent are offering Trial access. Click here to find out more.

    | Derwent Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Australia - Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia (IPRIA) Public Seminars
    The Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia (IPRIA) will be holding seminars in Melbourne and Sydney on the topic of : "Computer-Implemented Inventions and Business Method Patents: Recent Developments in Europe and Australia". The speaker is Dr Noel Byrne, Former Senior Fellow in Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary College, University of London.

    Melbourne Seminar: Wednesday 4 September, 2002 at 6.00-7.30pm (MELBOURNE)
    Sydney Seminar: Tuesday 10 September 2002 at 5.00-6.30pm (SYDNEY)

    For further information or to download a registration form, visit the IPRIA website.

    | IPRIA Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Europe/Japan - UPDATE - EPIDOS Users' Meeting on Japanese Patent Information
    The programme for the EPIDOS User Meeting on Japanese patent information has been updated. Also some abstracts have been added to the website.


    The EPO have announced that they shall be organising a special meeting for users of Japanese patent information. "It will be your opportunity to meet experts from the leading Japanese players, namely the Japan Patent Office, Japio and Japanese data producers and distributors".

    jpinfo.gif (4495 bytes)The conference is scheduled to be held at the European Patent Office's Vienna sub-office, from 21 to 22 November 2002.

    "In co-operation with our partners in Japan, we have put together a programme that will be of interest to all users of Japanese patent information. In addition to presentations by Japanese commercial and non-commercial data providers on the first day of the meeting, you will be able to discuss problems and exchange ideas in smaller discussion groups and special workshops on the second day. An evening event at one of Vienna's typical Heurigen will be a pleasant occasion for strengthening your contacts with our experts from Japan and the EPO".

    To find out more, visit the EPIDOS webpage.

    | EPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Australia - New IP Association
    ipowners.gif (8681 bytes)IP Owners Association of Australia - "IP Owners is a new industry association set up to represent the interests of all owners of intellectual property by dealing with IP policy issues from the IP owner's perspective, with Board members drawn from Nike Australia, Warner Music and the legal and accounting professions. IP Owners is organised to marshal owners into a coherent voice to deal with IP issues from an Australian owners perspective". If you are interested in finding out more about this new Australian association, visit their website.

    | IP Owners Association of Australia Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Friday, 23 August 2002

  • PIUG 2002 Conference Videos Now Available
    The Patent Information Users Group (PIUG) 2002 Conference Videos are now available for purchase. The conference focused on "Pacific Rim Patent Coverage" and had some excellent presentations regarding Japanese patent information. You even get to see me speak! You can purchase the set of 9 videos for USD $110.00 by mail(check) or via Secure Online shopping facility (PayPal). To find out more, visit the PIUG website and click on the link on the main page.

    piug.jpg (4201 bytes)Video Coverage:

    - "Pacific Rim Patent Coverage - Patenting Trends and Technologies", Lora Burgess
    - "Patent Intelligence and Mapping", Anthony Trippe
    - "An Introduction to the Chinese Patent System", Robin Zhao
    - "Introduction to the Korean Patent System", Eun-Hwa Choi
    - "Rationalising IP Information Delivery - An Australian Perspective", Rodney Cruise
    - "Outline of Japanese Patent Law", Shunichi Doi, Visiting Scholar, University of Washington School of Law.
    - "An Introduction to the Japanese Patent System", Irene Schellner, European Patent Office
    - "Japanese Patent Information: Where to Find it, How to Use it", David T. Dickens
    - Luncheon featuring Mr. Yoshitaka HIRABAYASHI, Director-General of the Second Patent Examination Department of the Japanese Patent Office, as a representative of the Japan Patent Office Commissioner Mr. Kouzo OIKAWA
    - "JPO's service and products concerning IP information dissemination", Mr. Shin UENO, Director of the Patent Information Promotion Policy Office, Japan Patent Office
    - "Pharmaceutical Patents at JPO -Search and Examination Practices in Pharmaceutical Patent Applications", Ms. Kiyoko TAMURA, Patent Examiner, Japan Patent Office
    - "Patent Information Service in Japan - from the private sector", Mr. Yutaka Wada, Chairman and CEO PATOLIS Corp.
    - "Comparison of International Patent Trends: A Look at Asian, European and North American Filings", Ron Kaminecki
    - "esp@cenet, the view from within", Graham Day, European Patent Office
    - "Internet tools providing professional support to the patent searcher", Stephen Adams

    | PIUG Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Thursday, 22 August 2002

  • Festo - Presentation
    Following on from the immense interest the "Festo" case has generated, not only in the USA but around the world, IP Menu notes that on 23 October 2002, Irah H. Donner of Hale and Dorr LLP will be presenting "DOE and PHE: The Supremes Speak Out: Festo vs. SMC". The presentation will be held by the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Patent Practitioners (NAPP). For those readers in the USA the details are as follows:

    WHEN: October 23, 2002 Noon to 2:30 p.m. A buffet lunch of sandwiches will be served from Noon to 12:30 p.m. The presentation will begin at 12:30 p.m.
    WHERE: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Grandview Room, South Building, 199 Grandview Road, Skillman, New Jersey
    COST: USD$25 for NAPP Members, $40 for non-NAPP members.

    Further information cab be obtained from Mary Anne Magee (908-874-2089), Bob Tannhauser (908-218-2307) or Marcella Bodner (732-744-1001, ext 15). Alternatively visit the NAPP website.

    | NAPP Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Wednesday, 21 August 2002

  • Employment Opportunity at IP Organisers - Melbourne Office
    IP Organisers Pty Ltd - Intellectual Property Management, Commercialisation and Research Services.

    ipobox.jpg (4722 bytes)IP Organisers Pty Ltd is an Intellectual Property service company associated with Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick, Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick Lawyers and IP Menu. IP Organisers provides Intellectual Property Research, Management, Audit & Commercialisation services.

    We have the following position available in our Melbourne (Australia) office.

    Intellectual Property Researcher

    • You will have a science or engineering degree majoring in chemistry, biochemistry or similar. You will have strong computer and keyboard skills and some experience in HTML would be advantageous although not essential. You will have the ability to think logically and laterally and have excellent written and verbal skills. Attention to detail is essential. You will work with supervision and training is provided in-house. Previous experience in information research will be well regarded although not essential.

      The successful applicant will conduct information research with regard to Patents, Trademarks, Designs, Domain Names, and Company & Business Names. He or she will also assist in maintaining several commercial and information based websites.

      Send applications by 23 August 2002
      Ms Claudia Ginn
      IP Organisers Pty Ltd
      PO Box 323
      Collins St West VIC 8007
      Australia

      pofipmenu1.jpg (7218 bytes)
      Tel: +61 3 9622 2100
      Fax: +61 3 9614 1867
      Email: mail[@]iporganisers.com.au  
      Web: www.iporganisers.com.au
      Web: www.ipmenu.com
      Web: www.pof.com.au

Tuesday, 20 August 2002

  • Chemical Abstracts Records From Early 20th Century
    CAS and ACS Publications announced during the ACS national meeting held this week in Boston (USA) that Chemical Abstract records from early twentieth centure are now linked to the ACS Journal Archives. Researchers can now use Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) information products to identify journal articles of interest back to the beginning of the twentieth century, then link via ChemPort to the full-text articles in the electronic American Chemical Society (ACS) Journal Archives.

    "ChemPort is a feature incorporated into all CAS electronic search services, including STN Express, STN Easy, STN on the Web, SciFinder, SciFinder Scholar and CA on CD. Researchers identifying relevant articles or patents by searching CAS' and other databases on the STN International network use ChemPort to link from the database record to the associated full-text document on the web sites of participating journal publishers or patent offices for no additional charge. A list of those participating in ChemPort is available on the Web here".

    | CAS Website | ChemPort Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • US Patent Calendars
    DewRay Products produce a unique type of calendar based on US patents. "Here is a great product idea for inventors, engineers and scientists that outlines some of the history and facts within the U.S. Patent system. This Patents Calendar makes a truly unique gift for inventors, engineers and scientists. This unique calendar displays some of the fascinating ideas from the genius of past and present".
    uspatentcalendar.gif (14894 bytes)
    You can visit their website and view some samples of their products.

    | Patent-Calendars Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Monday, 19 August 2002

  • Intellectual Property Office of the Slovak Republic
    The Intellectual Property Office of the Slovak Republic now provides online access to their Patent, Utility Model, Industrial Designs and Trademarks database. The interface is in English and the databases are free to use. A simple registration proceedure is required to access the databases. You can access the Intellectual Property Office of the Slovak Republic website here, and register to access the databases.

    | IPO Slovak Republic Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Free US Patent Alerting Service
    I discovered what looks like a great site offering free patent alerts of US Patents. The website, called (no surprise) PatentAlert, provides a free e-mail publication for people interested in patents.
    patentalert.gif (21439 bytes)
    "Upon subscription, you will receive periodical updates about inventions recently patented in the United States. Your e-mails will include descriptions of patents in the fields of your choice. You can choose to receive updates daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Using the system of customizable subscriptions, you will be able to select only the content that is relevant to you. Alternatively, you can specify a wider range of themes for a broader view of affairs"
    .

    To find out more or to subscribe to this service, visit the PatentAlert website.

    | PatentAlert Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Don't Miss The News - Subscribe to IP Menu News
    If you don't get the chance or time to visit IP Menu News every day then you should consider subscribing to our fortnightly email newsletter which includes all the latest IP news together with the latest IP Conference Calendar.  Subscription is free.  If you are interested in receiving this newsletter please click here.
  • PatentFamily.Com
    A German company called Software for Intellectual Property GmbH has the catchy URL www.patentfamily.com. The site hosted here provides access to patent family data from the INPADOC database. They state that during the introduction of this service, access to the database is free of charge but is limited to 3 queries per day. An extended free access (10 queries per day) requires registration. To find out more and try out a free family search (or 3!), visit SIP's website.
    sip.gif (13409 bytes)
    | SIP Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • PatentGopher - Patent Document Provision Service
    PatentGopher is a service that provides copies of patent documents via email. "PatentGopher emerged in May 2000 as an inexpensive method of patent retrieval. We have delivered tens of thousands of patents for free or nominal rates. Our users include attorneys, engineers, scientists, researchers, and inventors. They work at law firms, major corporations, research and educational institutions, and government agencies in over 40 countries around the world.........Patents of 10 pages or less will be delivered for just US$1. Additional pages cost ten cents each".

    For further information visit PatentGopher.

    | PatentGopher Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Friday, 16 August 2002

  • Warning! - WIPO Issues Warning on Fee Payments.
    WIPO has issued a notice relating to payment of PCT fees. It is unfortunate, but we have seen similar types of notices in recent times in the US and Europe. We have reproduced the entire notice below and strongly recommend that if you have any concerns that you contact WIPO directly.

    "It has come to the attention of the International Bureau that PCT applicants and agents are receiving invitations to pay fees with the title:

    "Central Data-Register of International
    Patents International Patent
    Applications/Offer"

    which typically refer to a payment which is to be made in the amount of 1235,40 Euros or US dollars within a period of 10 days, by cheque to the following address:

    ZDR-DatenRegister GmbH
    P.O. Box 102422
    60024 Frankfurt/Main
    Germany

    or by bank transfer to the indicated bank account number.

    The invitation identifies a particular PCT application by its international publication number (eg: WO 02 xxxxx), publication date, title of the invention, international filing date, international application number, priority information and IPC symbols; an example of one such invitation can be viewed here.

    PCT applicants and agents should note that such invitations do not come from the International Bureau of WIPO and are unrelated to the processing of international applications under the PCT. Whatever registration services might be offered in the above-mentioned invitations, they bear no connection to WIPO or to any of its official publications.

    It is the International Bureau of WIPO alone which publishes all PCT applications promptly after the expiration of 18 months from the priority date (see PCT Article 21(2)(a)); there is no separate fee for such international publication, and the legal effects of international publication are set out in PCT Article 29.

    In case of doubt in relation to such an invitation, please contact the International Bureau by telephone at +41 22 338 8338".


    | WIPO Website |

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

    IP Drafting Resources -
    New - Techical Publication Associates, Inc. - "We provide patent illustration services for legal firms and companies. Specializing in two-dimensional drawings and schematics, three-dimensional isometric drawings, and exploded-view assembly illustrations. Our portfolio is online for your viewing".

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Thursday, 15 August 2002

  • USA - Patents - Official Gazette To Be Discontinued
    It what many see as an unfortunate move merely to save money, the USPTO is pressing ahead with it's plan to discontinue the paper publication of the Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office - Patents (Official Gazette - Patents). The last paper issue with be the 24 September 2002 issue.

    uspaleft.gif (2304 bytes)"In concert with its 21st Century Strategic Plan, the Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) will discontinue paper publication of the Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office - Patents (Official Gazette-Patents) after the September 24, 2002 issue. The publication is now available on CD-ROM. The cost is $15.00 per issue or $300 annually, compared to the paper version that costs $70.00 for a single copy and $1465 annually. The Official Gazette-Patents also is now available on the USPTO Web site (www.uspto.gov) free of charge. However, space considerations only allow archiving for the latest six issues".

    To read the full Press Release, visit the USPTO website here.

    | USPTO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Australia - Interim Measures
    ipaustralia.jpg (6125 bytes)IP Australia has announced today that from 15 August 2002 until the publication of the NEW AOJP (Australian Official Journal of Patents) Supplement, IP Australia will be providing information about certified Innovation Patents in the current AOJP. However when available, the new AOJP Supplement will contain details of all new standard, provisional and innovation patent applications filed after 5 July 2002 as well as all existing innovation patents. This will supersede the existing Innovation Patent Supplement to the AOJP which contains only innovation patent data.
    ipobox.jpg (6584 bytes)
    Confused? Well, if you have any questions relating to the state of flux currently exisiting with Australian Patent information, please do not hesitate to contact us here at IP Organisers.

    | IP Organisers Website | IP Australia Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Wednesday, 14 August 2002

  • European Patent Convention (EPC)
    epo.gif (1337 bytes)The European Patent Convention (EPC) which issued in July 2002 is now available for download from the European Patent Office website. It is available as a fully bookmarked Adobe Acrobat PDF file. The files in Adobe Acrobat PDF format correspond to the latest printed edition of the EPC (without amendments adopted by the Administrative Council since the printed edition was published). The most up-to-date version of the EPC is available as the HTML document.

    | EPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Tuesday, 13 August 2002

  • PCT Newsletter August 2002 Issue Now Available Online
    WIPO has just published the August 2002 PCT Newsletter (No. 08/2002) and it is available online.
    pctnews.gif (7183 bytes)
    This issue includes:
    - PCT Article 22(1): Withdrawals of Notifications of Incompatibility
    - PCT Rule 4.10: Withdrawal of Notification of Incompatibility
    - Time Limits for Entering the National Phase
    - PCT Quiz
    - PCT Reform: Second Session of the Committee on Reform of the PCT
    - On-Line Entry into the European Regional Phase
    - Mexico: Power of Attorney Requirements in the National Phase

    A full list of contents is available here.

    | WIPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • FileShopper - Don Cooksey Joins FileShopper as Marketing Director
    fileshopper.gif (5610 bytes)Jim Turner from FileShopper has announced that Don Cooksey has joined FileShopper as Marketing Director. Don "brings to FileShopper over 12 years of experience in the field of Intellectual Property, with a focus on research, customer support, document delivery and marketing. Don is now responsible for the sales and marketing initiatives that will continue to build FileShopper as a global player in the IP market. Most recently, Don established the Marketing Departments at DigiPat and Kramer & Associates and was responsible for the development of their marketing collateral, web pages, and advertising. He increased awareness and market share of both companies by initiating their first advertising campaigns, direct mailings, and trade show participation. He also served as lead customer contact for all of DigiPat’s electronic products. Prior to DigitPat, Don served as Director of Services with Prior Art Searches, supervising the File History staff and facilitating marketing activities for the organization. In addition, Don was the Assistant Manager of Derwent’s Patent Store that provided patent copies and File Histories for the Washington, D.C. area market. While there he also served as the team leader on Derwent’s Document Delivery Re-Engineering project. Don began his career in IP 12 years ago, conducting trademark research at Compu-Mark, in Bethesda, Maryland. From there he moved to Thomson & Thomson’s Washington D.C. office where he was employed as a Copyright Analyst, conducting copyright research and acting as customer liaison to the Copyright Office at the Library of Congress".

    To find out more about FileShopper, visit their website. IP Organisers Pty Ltd is a FileShopper document provider for Australian and New Zealand patent documentation.

    | FileShopper Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Monday, 12 August 2002

  • Patent Re*Search ToolBox
    Some readers will remember Patent Re*Search ToolBox and their software "DIP-J for USP". Software for downloading patents from the USPTO. In February 2002, Sissy took down his website and removed his software due to a patent infringement suit. A brief update to his website indicates that the lawsuit was "ended by reconciliation" in May this year, however the "invalidation action" is still in progress. If anyone else has any further information on this, IP Menu would be grateful to hear from you.

    | Sissy Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • GetIPDL - Upgrade (1.9.12) to Patent Downloading Software
    getipdl-1.jpg (12607 bytes)GetIPDL release another update to their beta Patent Downloading software (which is free!)  They have released a further Beta upgrade (1.9.12) which now includes the ability to download mulitple patents at one time and kept up with changes on Depatis, espacenet, WIPO and USPTO.  A history of the software changes can be found here.    To find out more, please visit the GetIPDL website here.


    | Get IPDL Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • STN Launches New Phamraceutical and Nutraceutical Databases
    stn.gif (3040 bytes)STN International has announced the launch of the PHARMAML and NUTRACEUT databases. PHARMAML was released in July 2000 whilst NUTRACEUT will be available in the near future.

    "PHARMAML contains bibliographic and full-text information - including the full-text of the weekly publication PharmaMarketLetter - on all aspects of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries world-wide. This comprises legislation; company news, including financial reports, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, start-up companies, trends and strategies, multinational deals, stock market commentary, biotechnology R&D, and sales performance; product news, including drug submissions, drug launches, drug approvals and rejections, licensing arrangements, clinical trial development and results, and product development; and upcoming conferences and meetings. The database is updated daily with pre-publication data - and weekly with written publication data - and coverage extends from 1992 to date. Currently PHARMAML includes 47,650 records. Backlog data - to 1985 - will be added in the future. PHARMAML complements perfectly the collection of high-quality pharmaceutical databases offered on STN, e.g. Derwent Drug File (DDFU), ADISINSIGHT, DRUGNL, DRUGLAUNCH, DRUGPAT, EMBASE, and many more".

    "NUTRACEUT contains bibliographic and full-text information - including the full-text of the weekly publication Nutraceuticals - covering the global nutraceutical, functional foods, dietary supplements, and natural product industries. This includes world-wide legislation, labelling requirements, company news and product launches, R&D and manufacturing technology developments, market data and forecasts, as well as upcoming conferences and meetings. Currently coverage extends from 1996 to date, and the database contains more than 6,000 documents"
    .

    For more information, visit the STN website.

    | STN Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • CAS Country Coverage Update
    CAS has published an updated version of patent country coverage for CAS databases. "CAS covers patents from patent offices worldwide. These patents are selected from over 23,000 International Patent Classification (IPC) codes". A complete guide to country, kind and year coverage is available as a PDF file from CAS.

    | CAS Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Friday, 09 August 2002

  • Keyword Patent Searching Online - A Workbook
    Gerald R. Black has published a new book entitled. "Keyword Patent Searching Online - A Workbook". James contends that it makes a compelling case for "keywords" as the best way to search for patents on the Internet. He makes the claim that the "use of classification systems is not needed for global patentability searches".

    keyword.jpg (26870 bytes)Now I have not read the book but I doubt many of IP Menu readers would agree with his premise that the use of a classification system is not needed for "global patentability searches". You make up your own mind.  According to his website:

    "Gerald R. Black has more than twenty years experience in patent law, and has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He was "Of Counsel " with Dykema Gossett of Detroit, Michigan, Associate Patent Counsel with Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc., and an attorney with Battelle Memorial Institute and Rockwell International Corp. (Aerospace Division). He has been admitted to practice law in Michigan, California, and Ohio, and has a private practice in Southfield, Michigan. He is also an inventor-entrepreneur. This is his first book."

    IP Menu tries to report broadly on IP research matters, and new books in this area are always worth bringing to our readers attention. To find our more and make up your own mind about his approach visit Black's website here.

    | KeyPatent Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Thursday, 08 August 2002

  • GetIPDL - Upgrade (1.9.11) to Patent Downloading Software
    getipdl-1.jpg (12607 bytes)GetIPDL release another update to their beta Patent Downloading software (which is free!)  They have released a further Beta upgrade (1.9.11) which now includes the ability to download mulitple patents at one time and kept up with changes on Depatis, espacenet, WIPO and USPTO.  A history of the software changes can be found here.   To find out more, please visit the GetIPDL website here.

    Reminder: For those people who will be attending the 224th ACS National Meeting, Boston, August 18-22, 2002, Kazuya Ujihara (the author of GetIPDL) will be presenting "Total synthesis of velamone: A trans-clerodane diterpene.", paper number 777. DIVISION: Division of Organic Chemistry - SESSION: Methodology, Synthesis, Process R&D, Heterocycles - PRESENTATION FORMAT: Poster - DAY & TIME: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

    | Get IPDL Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Wednesday, 07 August 2002

  • Australia - Patent Database Unavailable
    Access to the Australian Patent Administration system (Patadmin) & the Patent Indexing system (Patindex) will be suspended from Thursday 8 August 2002 and over the weekend. IP Australia advise that "this suspension of services is necessary to ensure data integrity when the data is copied from Patadmin to the NPS system".

    ipobox.jpg (6584 bytes)While Patadmin access is unavailable it will not be possible to obtain bibliographic information normally available via Patadmin. There are other sources of Australian patent information available (eg CDROM and Journals). If you require Australian information during this period, contact us at IP Organisers.

    | IP Australia Website | IP Organisers Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Singapore - IPOS and iSinolaw Alliance
    isinolaw.png (5654 bytes)The SurfIP newsletter is out and some great news on Chinese IP information. The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has announced an alliance with iSinolaw.com. ISinolaw provides online bilingual china laws. If you are a SurfIP member Isinolaw.com is providing free access to a large range of China Intellectual Property (IP) Law questions and answers. "The Q&A section provides to-the-point answers to most of the frequently asked questions on various aspects of Chinese IP law. The answers are also handy "memory cards" on important topics and current issues". It is always great to see IP resources developing in Asia and as usual it is great to see SurfIP involved.

    surfip.gif (5963 bytes)If you are not already a member of SurfIP, I would recommend that you visit their site and have a look at their unique collection of IP resources.

    | SurfIP Website | iSinlolaw Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Europe Asia Patent Information Conference (EAPIC)
    eapic.jpg (18826 bytes)The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and the European Patent Office (EPO) are co-organising the Europe-Asia Patent Information Conference on 11 and 12 September 2002 in Singapore.

    "Come and participate in EAPIC - a conference bringing together professionals, decision-makers and partners of intellectual property!

    Gain further insight into IP issues through practical workshops, presentations and lectures by renowned IP professionals and distinguished university lecturers in the IP field.

    Meet representatives from European and Asian IP offices, research institutes and universities, as well as private sector providers of patent information products and services who will exhibit their products and services at EAPIC.

    Bringing together patent offices and service providers to foster business opportunities, EAPIC is the IP event you will not want to miss! Register now to enjoy a 5% early-bird discount! (with full payment before 14 June 2002)"

    The conference programme includes:
    - “ASEAN IP Cooperation” by Mr S. Tiwari (Chairman, ASEAN Working Group on IP Cooperation)
    - “Patenting Strategies and IP Management for Research Institutions and Universities” by Professor Albert Tramposch
    - “IP Management for SMEs” by Professor Michael Blakeney
    - “Patenting Strategies for SMEs” by Mr Lawrence Y.D. Ho
    - “Patent Information as a Source of Knowledge” by Mr Wilheim von Lieres
    - “Patent Information as a Source of Knowledge – The Practitioner’s Perspective” by Mr David Lewellyn
    - Workshops on patent searching will be conducted by EPO patent expert Dr Nigel Clarke, as well as workshops by software companies such as Derwent Publications.

    To find out more visit the Conference Page on the IPOS website.

    | IPOS Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Tuesday, 06 August 2002

  • GetIPDL - Upgrade (1.9.9) to Patent Downloading Software
    getipdl.gif (1105 bytes)GetIPDL release another update to their beta Patent Downloading software (which is free!)  They have released a further Beta upgrade (1.9.9) which now includes the ability to download mulitple patents at one time and kept up with changes to WO numbering on Depatis and espacenet.  A history of the software changes can be found here.   To find out more, please visit the GetIPDL website here.

    | Get IPDL Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Employment Opportunity at IP Organisers - Melbourne Office
    IP Organisers Pty Ltd - Intellectual Property Management, Commercialisation and Research Services.

    ipobox.jpg (4722 bytes)IP Organisers Pty Ltd is an Intellectual Property service company associated with Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick, Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick Lawyers and IP Menu. IP Organisers provides Intellectual Property Research, Management, Audit & Commercialisation services.

    We have the following position available in our Melbourne (Australia) office.

    Intellectual Property Researcher

  • You will have a science or engineering degree majoring in chemistry, biochemistry or similar. You will have strong computer and keyboard skills and some experience in HTML would be advantageous although not essential. You will have the ability to think logically and laterally and have excellent written and verbal skills. Attention to detail is essential. You will work with supervision and training is provided in-house. Previous experience in information research will be well regarded although not essential.

    The successful applicant will conduct information research with regard to Patents, Trademarks, Designs, Domain Names, and Company & Business Names. He or she will also assist in maintaining several commercial and information based websites.

    Send applications by 23 August 2002
    Ms Claudia Ginn
    IP Organisers Pty Ltd
    PO Box 323
    Collins St West VIC 8007
    Australia

    pofipmenu1.jpg (7218 bytes)
    Tel: +61 3 9622 2100
    Fax: +61 3 9614 1867
    Email: mail[@]iporganisers.com.au  
    Web: www.iporganisers.com.au
    Web: www.ipmenu.com
    Web: www.pof.com.au

Monday, 05 August 2002

Friday, 02 August 2002

  • PatSee PRO Upgrade
    Image Applications have just released PatSee PRO version 3.10 beta 3, which addresses problems with downloading Application patents from the USPTO. The software can be downloaded for free from the Image Applications website and installed using your existing keys.

    | Image Applications Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Japan - New JPO Commissioner
    ota.jpg (24900 bytes)On 30 July 2002, Shinichiro OTA was appointed as the new Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office (JPO). His first address as Commissioner has just been posted on the JPO website.

    "Today, intellectual property policies are attracting growing attention from society with the establishment this year of the Strategic Council on Intellectual Property in March and the decision upon the Intellectual Property Policy Outline on July 3. To be given the opportunity to engage in intellectual property administration at such a time as this is both a wonderful honor and a huge challenge for me, as I recognize the gravity of my responsibility".

    To read the full address, visit the JPO website here.

    | JPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Derwent / STN Free Seminars
    Derwent and STNŽ have announced a series of free seminars covering finding key patent, genetic sequence and chemical structure information easily and quickly online. The seminars are held as follows:

    derwent.jpg (3207 bytes)stn.gif (3040 bytes)USA
    - October 1, 2002 - San Francisco, CA
    - October 2, 2002 - Los Angeles, CA
    - October 4, 2002 - Houston, TX
    EUROPE
    - September 5, 2002 - London, UK
    - September 13, 2002 - Berlin, Germany

    For more information, visit the Derwent website here.

    | Derwent Website | STN Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Trade Marks - EURONICE Database Online (Test Phase)
    EURONICE is a database for the storage and reuse of translations of the most frequently used expressions by Community trade mark applicants to describe the goods and services covered by their marks. This database currently contains about 17,000 expressions represented in the eleven official languages of the EU. EURONICE ONLINE makes the content of the EURONICE database available to applicants and their representatives by means of a search engine, which can be accessed via the link displayed above. The EURONICE online search tool is currently in a test phase. The EURONICE online search tool gets its information from the EURONICE database. This database contains expressions frequently used by Community trademark applicants to describe the goods and services covered by their marks.

    For further information visit the EURONICE website here or go directly to the database.

    | OHIM Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Japan - Examination Guideline on Requirement for Disclosure of Information on Prior Art Documents
    Following the 2002 amendment of Sections 36(4)(ii), 48septies and 49(v) of the Patent Law, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) had drafted "Examination Guideline on Requirement for Disclosure of Information on Prior Art Documents" in June 2002 and invited comments on this Draft. Reflecting the comments, the JPO finalized "Examination Guideline on Requirement for Disclosure of Information on Prior Art Documents" as following. The Guideline will be effective September 1, 2002. To read the guidelines, visit the JPO website here (PDF).


    | JPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • USPTO to Hold 7th Annual Independent Inventors Conference
    The USPTO will hold the 7th Annual Independent Inventors Conference from 2 to 3 August 2002 at the
    uspaleft.gif (2304 bytes)Onondaga Community College
    Whitney Applied Technology Center
    4941 Onondaga Road
    Syracuse, NY 13215
    USA

    "The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Office of Independent Inventor Programs (OIIP), will host the 7th Annual Independent Inventors Conference, ICON 2002, highlighting the agency's recent announcement on expanding programs for independent inventors".

    To find out more, visit the USPTO website here.


    | USPTO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • PCT-SAFE - WIPO's Electronic Filing Project
    A revamped site on the WIPO website, details WIPO's development of their electronic filing software, PCT-SAFE. This will enable users to file PCT international applications in completely electronic form, either on-line over the Internet or using physical media.  In order to facilitate the transition to E-filing, this new system is based on the present PCT-EASY software.
    basicwip.gif (6150 bytes)
    "You will find on this website an introduction to the new PCT-SAFE software, how it works and how you as a PCT user will benefit from it. It also provides detailed information regarding the technical and legal framework that will enable the implementation of electronic filing and processing of PCT applications. The site also includes a section on PCT-EASY, previously a separate website, to provide support to over 8000 registered PCT-EASY users worldwide".

    To find out more, visit the PCT-SAFE website here.

    | WIPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Thursday, 01 August 2002

  • IP Australia - New Online Service Website
    IP Australia have just announced their "new" online services website. The Online Services section of IP Australia's website can be accessed via this link.

    Unfortunately, as discussed in yesterday's posting, due to the continuing implementation of the new system, users will not be able to conduct searches of the NPS (New Patents Solution) database.
    ipaustonline.jpg (18335 bytes)
    IP Menu will keep you informed as to when the new database comes online.

    | IP Australia Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • USA - The Bicentennial of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
    usptobi.gif (11607 bytes)The President of the United States of America has issued a proclamation: "For two centuries, the United States Patent Office has played a vital role in the scientific, technical, and economic development of our Nation by granting inventors patents for their inventions. As Abraham Lincoln once stated, patents "added the fuel of interest to the fire of genius." ................. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the Bicentennial of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I call upon all Americans to recognize this anniversary with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, thereby honoring the Office's many scientific, economic, and cultural contributions to our Nation and the world".

    To read the full "proclamation", visit the USPTO website here.

    | USPTO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Wednesday, 31 July 2002

  • Australia - New Patent System Saga
    As previously reported, the Australia Patent Office, IP Australia, is introducing a new patent database system. Unfortunately, the implementation of the system is not going to plan and there is now a significant issue developing with a large amount of data becoming unsearchable. The following appeared in the latest official journal but has yet to appear on their website. This situation is becoming quite a concern.

    ipaustralia.jpg (6125 bytes)"IP Australia wishes to advise its customers that information about patent applications filed after 5 July 2002 is currently not available in the Australian Official Journal of Patents (AOJP)

    The Innovation Supplement to the AOLJP will contain information about these applications. Unfortunately, publication of this Supplement will be delayed for some weeks due to the continuing implementation phase of Release 2.1 of the New Patent Solution.

    However information about existing patent applications is available from IP Australia's website, the AOJP and the CDROM products that are available in our State Offices.

    Details about when this Supplement will be published will be provided in the Official Notices of the AOJP".

    What does this all mean? Well, application filed since 5 July 2002 (which will all use the new numbering system) are not searchable in either the Official Journal or on any online database. If you are conducting watches, monitoring for divisional applications etc, you currently have a potential problem.

    If you have any questions about Australian patent information, and in particular about potential problems caused by IP Australia's delay, please do not hesitate to contact us here at IP Organisers.

    | IP Australia Website | IP Organisers Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Delphion Newsletter - 29 July 2002
    The Delphion Newsletter for 29 July 2002 is now available on the Delphion Website. The articles include:
    "Best of the Web" - "Delphion has been awarded a "Best of the Web" distinction by PC World! This honor - which has also been bestowed upon such industry leaders as Amazon, EBay and Google - is for those select websites that, the magazine says, "get it right"".
    Matt Wise Joins as General Manager - "Delphion has added Matt Wise in the new position of general manager of Delphion Research".
    Delphion's New Customer Advisors Benefit You
    Delphion Adds Resellers in Europe and Asia
    U.S. Class Browser Updated
    Organize Your Patent Research with Work Files - "Delphion's Work Files help you organize your research by enabling you to create personalized lists of patents. For example, you can use Work Files to save lists of frequently referred-to patents or lists of patents in a portfolio".

    To read the full newsletter, visit the Delphion website here.

    | Delphion Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • CDNameSearch
    CDNameSearch provides an "Interactive Trademark Search on CDROM and Internet with US (USPTO) and Canadian (CIPO) databases for intellectual property professionals". To find out more, visit their website.

    | CDNameSearch Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Tuesday, 30 July 2002

Monday, 29 July 2002

  • Canada - Designs - DesignPlus - New System Launched for Processing Industrial Designs
    logo_cipo_4.gif (1253 bytes)The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has announced that on 10 June this year the Industrial Design Office launched a new electronic processing system called "DesignPlus". "With this system, the ID Office is now able to enter and electronically capture all pertinent information relating to newly filed industrial design applications and amendments, including the data capture of new and amended drawings by scanning. All of the processing stages of an application from filing up to and including registration can now be completed electronically, as well as the recordal of assignments affecting pending and newly registered designs". To find out more, visit the CIPO website here.

    | CIPO Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • PIUG 2003 Annual Conference - Call For Papers
    PIUG has announced its theme for the 2003 Annual Conference to be held in Chicago, IL, USA on 3-9 May 2003. The theme is "Patent Analysis". Lucy Akers, the Chair of PIUG has just published the following call for papers. I had the privilege to speak at this years conference at Berkeley CA, USA and I must say it was a great experience. These conferences are an incredibly valuable forum to meet others in the Patent information industry. If you are not already a member of PIUG, I strongly recommend becoming one.  Membership is inexpensive, but the benefits of being involved in this organisation are enormous.

    An International Conference for Patent Information Professionals

    piug.jpg (4201 bytes)Focus: Patent Analysis
    Date: May 3-9, 2003
    Location: Chicago, IL, USA

    Call for Speakers

    "PIUG is pleased to announce the PIUG 2003 annual conference will be held in Chicago, IL, May 3-9, 2003. The abstract submission process is now open. Please be advised that your abstract may be published on the internet or elsewhere, shortly after receipt or at any time thereafter. Therefore, do not include confidential or business-sensitive information in your abstract.

    The Program Committee is looking for abstracts from corporate, patent office, or law firm patent information users who are able to discuss methods (preferred) and/or tools used within their organizations for patent analysis. For example, consider preferred approaches for analyzing patent search results for various patent search types (e.g. state of the art, patentability, identifying potential licensors, etc.).

    Please send your proposed speaker name, brief biography, full contact information, presentation title, and abstract to lucyakers@btopenworld.com. If you think you may be interested in speaking but require management approval beforehand, please let us know so that we can begin to consider your general proposal for a paper in the meantime (just a few descriptive sentences will do).

    We strongly encourage you to submit abstracts by August 15, 2002, however we reserve the right to accept abstracts at any time in order to assemble the best possible program. Invited speakers will take precedence over other speakers.

    We hope to publish a very preliminary agenda in the fall PIUG Newsletter. Currently our proposal is to have general sessions on Monday and Wednesday (mostly focused from the customer group-type perspective) with a vendor and exhibitor presentations on Tuesday. Workshops and other training sessions will most likely be held pre-meeting Saturday and Sunday and post-meeting Thursday and Friday, so you may wish to eventually plan your travel arrangements accordingly".

    To find out more, please contact Lucy Akers, PIUG Chair
    Akers & Co.
    Grey Friars, Spring Road
    Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 3PP
    England
    tel: +44 (0) 1582 467699
    fax: +44 (0) 1582 467615
    email: lucyakers@btopenworld.com

    | PIUG Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • Australia - New Domain Names Dispute Resolution Policy
    auda-logo.gif (1320 bytes)The .au Domain Names Dispute Resolution Policy (auDRP) will commence on 1 August 2002. The aim of the auDRP is to provide a cheaper, speedier alternative to litigation for the resolution of disputes between the registrant of a .au domain name and a party with competing rights in the domain name. The full policy is available from the auDA website here.

    | auDA Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.

Friday, 26 July 2002

  • Eurasian Patent System: Recent Developments
    epo.gif (1337 bytes)The European Patent Office together with the Eurasian Patent Office and in co-operation with the National Patent Offices of France and the United Kingdom will host the seminar entitled "“The Eurasian Patent System: Recent Developments" on 18 November 2002 in Munich (DE), 20 November 2002 in Paris (FR) and 22 November 2002 in London (GB). For further information, visit the EPO website here.

    | European Patent Office Website |

    Posted by Rodney Cruise.
  • MicroPatent - Data Export Enhancements!
    micropat.jpg (4113 bytes)MicroPatent
    have added new "Data Export Enhancements" to their WorkSheets service within PatSearch FullText’s WorkSheets. "Now you can select from an extensive list of bibliographic and text fields, including claims, for export into a delimited format and use in the desktop application of your choice. The export format includes field names, which become column headers when imported into spreadsheets or tables". One of the exciting features is the ability to export abstract information.

    Export Formats Include:
    • TSV – tab delimited (delivered as a .txt file and importable into MS WordŽ and/or ExcelŽ spreadsheets)
    • CSV – comma delimited (delivered as a .csv file and importable into MS Word and/or Excel spreadsheets, as well as into BizInt Smart Charts)
    • RIS – RIS file of all data for pre-defined formats (delivered as a .txt file and importable into Reference ManagerŽ, ProciteŽ, or EndnoteŽ, plus all products of ISI ResearchSoft using the RIS filter) Note: RIS format is not user-selectable

    To find our more about these new enhancements, visit the MircoPatent web