Thursday, 28 February 2002
- SurfIP
Update 1 - IPC Searching
Some good news from SurfIP.
You can now search for patents across multiple patent databases by International Patent
Classification (IPC) using the SurfIP IPC Search tool. Simply register and logon to SurfIP
and click on "Research". There are now four search functions on SurfIP: Simple,
Structured, Patent Number Search and IPC Search. For further information visit the SurfIP
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- SurfIP
Update 2 - New Patent Sources
SurfIP Research has expanded its aggregated search capabilities to
include patents from China and Korea. You can now search these databases of patents on all
three options: Simple Search, Structured Search and Patent Number Search.
"The China Patent Info Search searches the Jiansuo site
(http://www.jiansuo.com) and translates your English query to Chinese when searching. The
simple search for a patent on this database is an English to Chinese cross-lingual search
by title only. A more detailed search can be done on the Structured Search option (e.g.
search by Title, Abstract, Assignee and Inventor Name) and Patent Number Search.
Translation services are available on SurfIP at the point your search results are shown.
The Korean IPO Search searches the KIPO site (http://www.kipo.go.kr) and searches their
English-translated patents". For more information on these great new additions,
visit the SurfIP Website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- Sydney -
Australia - Patent Searching Position Available
Hollie Nolan from A.S.K. Solutions Group has advised me of a new patent
searcher position available in Sydney, Australia. Please see the following details.
· Sydney based
· In-house role
· Chemistry/Biotechnology Background
"We are currently seeking a patent searcher with a minimum of 2 years patent
searching experience, who must have a background in Chemistry or Biotechnology.
You will be working autonomously, conducting novelty, infringement and scientific and
technical searches, for a variety of internal and external clients. You will have had
experience in a similar patent searching role, either in-house or with a university. There
may also be some mechanical and electrical engineering search work involved.
If this sounds like you and would like to be considered for the opportunity please e-mail
your resume and a cover letter to hollie.nolan@ask.com.au.
Please note only short listed candidates will be contacted".
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- Chemcial Abstracts Services Training Update - PIUG 2002
 Chemical
Abstracts Service (CAS) has announced the availability of additional training classes in
conjunction with the PIUG 2002 Annual Conference at the Radisson Berkeley Marina,
Berkeley, CA:
Thursday, April 25, 2001, 9:00-12:00 am
CAS/STN Training: "Structure Search Refresher and Advanced Search Techniques"
Go beyond the basics of substructure searching in the REGISTRY file in this seminar. Find
out how to
- Use STN Express tools to more precisely define variables in a structure;
- Control the number of substituents in the query;
- Search using structure fragments and defined G-groups;
- Use ring system data for subset structure searching.
Thursday, April 25, 2001 - 1:00-4:00 pm
CAS/STN Training: "Searching MARPAT for Elusive Patents"
This session will look at structure search techniques for searching the MARPAT file to
retrieve compounds described generically in a patent. Approaches to modifying the
structure query and its effect on retrieval will be discussed.
Registration Information: There is no fee, although pre-registration is required, as
classroom size is limited to 50. Email: wksp@cas.org or
phone: 1-800-848-6538 x3549 or visit the website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Wednesday, 27 February 2002
- MicroPatent Announces New Worksheets for Patent FullText
 MicroPatent
has just announced a new "workspace" for subscribers to PatSearch FullText
subscribers. This "workspace" is called "Worksheets". The
"Worksheets" allow you to:
- Import and analyze up to 20,000 search results at a time
- Flip from one record to the next via the convenient pop-up window by clicking on the red
arrow, otherwise known as the MPLink, in front of each record
- Sort your hitlist by issue/publication date, international class, assignee/applicant, or
one of two family sorting options
- View the complete family report of your results, showing a representative abstract for
each family
- Choose from various two and three dimensional graphs or charts for analysis
- Graph and analyze results by family (not by total patents) to eliminate the distortion
caused by counting the same invention in multiple countries
- Check, uncheck, or delete records easily by way of the respective buttons at the top of
the hitlist
- Export your hitlist into a delimited file and review, categorize, sort, analyze, and
manipulate the information based on your specific needs
- See your hitlist in any of several different report formats
- Execute functions quickly with the new "Go" button
During MicroPatent's introductory period the are allowing subscribers to try the graphing
feature for free.
MicroPatent have some sample screen dumps of the new "Worksheets" and you can
view them at the MicroPatent
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- DOLPHIN
- Free workshop at the PIUG Annual Meeting, Berkeley, CA, April 20th
If you are going to PIUG Annual Meeting in April and you have an
interest in pharmaceutical patent information then Current Patents Ltd introductory
workshop on DOLPHIN, the Database of all Pharmaceutical Inventions, could be for you.
Peter Steele, the MD from Current Patents Ltd has advised that this workshop will take
place on the Saturday evening at 5.30pm, April 20th, and will be followed by a reception.
"The workshop will include the following presentations, each lasting about 10
minutes and followed by demonstrations and discussion:
- DOLPHIN - the concept and implementation (Peter Steele, Managing Director)
- Drug Patents and Expiry Dates (Gareth White, Patent Analyst)
- Company profiles, Licensing and Litigation (Sheetal Parmar, Customer Support
Executive)
- Patents in IDdb, and the Strategic Drug Database (Brian Clark, Current Drugs
Sales Executive)"
There is no charge for this workshop, but places are limited and pre-registration is
essential. To register please contact Truc
Tran, CP Marketing Manager or call her on +44 (0)20 7631 9930. My registration is on
the way!
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- Dialog Adds Feature to Seamlessly Link to e-Journals
 Dialog has now added access to full-text articles and reports
published in scientific and technical journals using "seamless" linking to
e-Journals. "The e-Journals available for seamless access are mostly
peer-reviewed scientific, medical and technical journals serving specialized audiences.
Among the leading publishers and aggregators making their e-Journals available for
immediate linking are Ebsco Online, John Wiley & Sons, Science Direct, SwetsNet and
Information Quest.Twenty files available through services on the Dialog-branded online
platform (Dialog®, DialogWeb®, DialogSelect (sm), Dialog1 and Dialog Intranet Toolkit)
now have the free linking feature. Previously, users would retrieve a citation or abstract
of the article or report they sought, and then would have to take another step to access
the specific e-Journals to retrieve the desired document in full-text form. Dialog's
e-Journal linking capability eliminates the need for that additional step". To
find out more, read the full Dialog Press Release.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Tuesday, 26 February 2002
- Australian Innovation Patent Index - Update
 The Australian Innovation Patent Index is now hosted by IP MENU and IP Organisers Pty Ltd (a service
company of Phillips Ormonde &
Fitzpatrick). The database has been updated to 21 February 2002.
Background information can be found in this news item from
October 2001.
Apart from exclusively hosting the Australian Innovation Patent Index, IP Organisers provides a growing
list of other IP services with a focus on Australian IP. You can order Austrailan
patent specifications or file histories for download, electronic, paper or cdrom delivery.
Soon IP Organisers will be providing a range of cost effective trademark services.
As usual IP MENU will keep you informed!
Remember that you can order copies of Australian Innovation Patents free
of charge from IP MENU and IP Organisers. Click here for more
information.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Monday, 25 February 2002
- European
Commission Proposes Rules for Inventions Using Software
"The European Commission has presented a proposal for a
Directive on the protection by patents of computer-implemented inventions. The proposed
Directive would harmonise the way in which national patent laws deal with inventions using
software. Such inventions can already be patented by applying to either the European
Patent Office (EPO) or the national patent offices of the Member States, but the detailed
conditions for patentability may vary. A significant barrier to trade in patented products
within the Internal Market exists as long as certain inventions can be protected by patent
in some Member States but not others. The proposed Directive will be submitted to the
EU’s Council of Ministers and the European Parliament for adoption under the
so-called ‘co-decision’ procedure". To read the full document, visit
the Europa Site here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- January/February Edition of STNews Now Available
The January / February 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 - STN on the Web is enhanced!
- Help Worldwide - STN--Count on us for the best Help Desk support
- Database News - Database News Articles
- Ask REGgie - How do I run BLAST® similarity searches in the CAS Registry file?
- Search Tip - Finding information about CAS roles
To find out more, or to subscribe, visit the STN website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Thursday, 21 February 2002
- USPTO
Commissioner for Trademarks to Host Trademark E-Government Seminar
 The
Commissioner for Trademarks will host a "Trademark E-Government Seminar" on
Friday, February 22, 2002 from 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. at the Celestes Bartos Forum, New
York Public Library New York, New York. "The Commerce Department's U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office (USPTO) Commissioner for Trademarks, Anne Chasser, will host a
training seminar, featuring a demonstration of the agency's award-winning Trademark
Electronic Filing System (TEAS) for prospective users and offering
"nuts-and-bolts" perspectives from trademarks applicants who have used the
system. Electronic government is a cornerstone of the President's Management Agenda.
Approximately 25% of USPTO's trademark applicants currently use USPTO's faster, more
efficient electronic filing system. The seminar is intended to increase the number of
trademark filers using the system". For further information please visit the USPTO
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Tuesday, 19 February 2002
- Australia -
Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge - Free Seminar
The Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia (IPRIA) and the
Centre for Media, Communications and IT Law (CMCITL) are sponsoring a free public seminar
on Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge, to be presented by Dr Silke von
Lewinski from the Max-Planck Institute, at 6:00pm on Tuesday 5 March 2002 at the
University of Melbourne.
Keynote Speaker: "Dr Silke von Lewinski is head of department on
international law and particular problems of developing countries at the Max-Planck
Institute for Foreign and International Patent, Copyright and Competition Law in Munich,
and is currently directing the Institute's project on indigenous resources. She is Adjunct
Professor at Johannes Gutenberg University (Mainz) and at Franklin Pierce Law Center
(Concord, USA), and has been a Visiting Professor at a number of universities in France,
Canada and the United States. While in Australia, Dr von Lewinski is a Visiting Professor
at the University of Melbourne Law School and the first Distinguished Visitor to
IPRIA."
For more information, please contact Ms Kim Hugen at k.hugen@unimelb.edu.au.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Monday, 18 February 2002
- USPTO
Pulse - February 2002 - Volume 10 Number 2 Now Available
 The February 2002 edition of the USPTO Pulse is now available
from the USPTO. The articles this month include:
- Hearings - USPTO Director Rogan attended the first in a series of
hearings on, "Competition and Intellectual Property Law and Policy in the Knowledge
Based Economy," on Wednesday, February 6th.
- USPTO Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - The USPTO's Office of Civil
Rights celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on January 17th with the
winners of an essay contest.
- USPTO Museum Opens New Exhibit "Patent Models: Icons of Innovation - On
February 12th, the USPTO Museum opened its newest exhibit, "Patent Models: Icons of
Innovation." This is the first time in over 100 years that the patent models have
been on display in one exhibit.
- USPTO Produces New Video on Minority Inventors: America's Tapestry of Innovation
- February is Black History Month and the USPTO has produced a new video that honors this
celebration.
- Trademark operation says that X-Search 1.2.24 Is Here - A new version of
X-Search, the trademark database search system, has been deployed to trademark employees
and it is more user friendly than before.
- USPTO Conducts Media Campaign About Patent Scams - The USPTO is conducting a
television and radio campaign in five media markets to counter the flood of deceptive
advertising aimed at America's independent inventors.
To read Pulse, click here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise
- EPIDOS
Annual Conference 2002 - Advance Notice
 The
EPIDOS Annual Conference 2002 will be held in the SAS Radisson Falconer Center,
Fredericksberg, Copenhagen from 15 to 17 October 2002. The EPO have placed their first
notice on the website concerning this event and encourage all particpates to book early.
For further information visit the EPO
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- US
Patent for Phonograph Issued February 19, 1878
The USPTO website has released a press release
with a nice historical leaning. Relating to the Edison's phonograph. "Thomas A.
Edison, one of the outstanding geniuses in the history of technology, received patent no.
200,521 for a phonograph on February 19, 1878. This patent is just one of the more than
one thousand Edison was granted for his inventions". You can also read the full Press
Release or view the original patent.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- Searchable Intellectual Property Databases - By Kathy Biehl
Kathy Biehl is a member of the State Bar of Texas and co-author of the
Lawyer's Guide to Internet Research. Formerly in private practice, she is an author,
researcher and consultant in the New York City area. She has just had an article published
in the Research Round UP coloum on the llrx.com website entitled "Searchable
Intellectual Property Databases - Updated". It covers a good selection of
databases and would be worth a read particularly if you are new to the IP information
area.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- Community Trade Mark Symposium
Management Forum in the United Kingdom is holding a Symposium on the Community
Trade Mark on 8 March 2002. "An official update on the progress and current
workings of the CTM System, presented by representatives of the Organisation for the
Harmonisation of International Marks (OHIM), Alicante This symposium will provide
participants with the opportunity to hear and discuss first-hand the latest information
and advice on important Community Trade Mark issues. The meeting will be of interest to
Trade Mark Agents and Attorneys, Counsel and Consultants working either in-house or in
private practice, IP Managers, Managers and Directors of R&D and Marketing and
Business Development, and all those involved in obtaining, opposing or defending trade
marks under the CTM system". For more details visit the Management Forum
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Thursday, 14 February 2002
- Derwent - IP Matters
 Anna
Norman, the Editor of Derwent's IP Matters has provided some information on the new online
edition. "We are starting the year with a special report - Derwent's Patent Focus
written by Joff Wild of Whitepage. 2001 saw many changes in the patent world - this report
covers the highlights of 2001, takes a look at the year ahead in 2002 and reports what the
experts in the field are saying.....We also have included an article, European Patent
Office Update written by Simon Mountenay from Marks and Clerk which was published in
American Lawyer Media's IP Worldwide supplement, IP Europe in January ...".
Other features include:
- CAD system IP Rights - entering a new dimension Al Dean discusses the issues of
IP rights in the area of 3D CAD systems
- Pharma companies on the back foot Joff Wild looks at how the Pharma industry has been
affected by governemnt intervention in IP rights in 2001
- Overcoming the problems with patents - how far have we come? Moira Duncan looks at
patenting, the problems associated with extracting critical data, and the tools available
for data mining
- The future for patents on life Issues such as bio-piracy and the patenting of GMOs
continue to receive wide coverage. Joff Wild looks at the current state of play
To find out more about Derwent's IP Matters, visit the website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- USPTO
- Disposal of Paper Copies of U.S. Patents Removed From the Examiners’ Search Rooms
Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 12, 2002 / Notices
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is considering whether the paper copies of selected subclasses
of U.S. patents to be removed from the examiners’ search rooms should be disposed of
as wastepaper or donated to a non-profit organization. The USPTO is seeking input on
whether any non-profit organization is interested in acquiring the paper copies of the
U.S. patents to be removed from the examiners’ search rooms. If you are an interested
party you should read the complete notice posted in the Federal Register, a PDF copy is
available here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- APEC
Symposium on Traditional Knowledge
An APEC symposium on Traditional Medicine will be held in Hong Kong from 19 March
to 22 March 2002.Days 1 and 2 (19 and 20 March 2002) will provide an introduction to the
topic of Traditional Medicine from a sociological, commercial and research perspective.
Day 3 will focus on the intellectual property aspects of Traditional Medicine. IP
Australia have posted a notice on their website regarding this APEC Symposium :
"Traditional knowledge,folklore and the sharing of genetic resources have
been discussed both at the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property
Organization. How these topics affect he traditionally accepted notions of intellectual
property (trade marks, patents, etc.) could have a profound impact of the scope of such
rights. They may have a big impact on the further development of new industries. One such
industry is traditional medicine which has already experienced impressive market growth in
countries like Germany and the United States. Hong Kong, China, which seeks to become a
regional hub for the development of traditional Chinese medicine, feels that the time is
right for traditional medicine to be discussed at an international level".
To read more, download this PDF
document from the IP Australia
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Wednesday, 13 February 2002
- Order
Australian Patent Specification Online - Beta Phase
This is just a short follow up to yesterday's announcement of the Beta Phase
of IP Organisers online ordering of Australian Patent Specifications. During the
Beta Phase delivery time will be a little longer than 24 hours whilst we settle the new
system in. The Beta Phase is only expect to last until 22 February (hopefully
shorter)
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- Dialog Adds Feature to Seamlessly Link to e-Journals
Dialog has announced that it has added the ability for users of its
Dialog® service to link seamlessly -- and without cost -- to the full texts of more than
8,000 scientific, medical and technical e-Journals published by more than 40 leading
scientific publishers and information aggregators. "The e-Journals available for
seamless access are mostly peer-reviewed scientific, medical and technical journals
serving specialized audiences. Among the leading publishers and aggregators making their
e-Journals available for immediate linking are Ebsco Online, John Wiley & Sons,
Science Direct, SwetsNet and Information Quest". For more information, read the
Dialog Press Release.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Tuesday, 12 February 2002
Order Australian Patent Specification Online - Beta Phase
IP
Menu is pleased to be able to announce that Australian Patent Specifications can now be
ordered online for electronic delivery. They are available via IP Organisers Pty
Ltd. IP Organisers Pty Ltd is an Intellectual Property service company
associated with Phillips Ormonde &
Fitzpatrick, Phillips Ormonde &
Fitzpatrick Lawyers and IP MENU.
Apart from providing copies of Australian Patent Specifications, IP Organisers also
provide Intellectual Research, Management & Commercialisation Services.
The first online service IP Organisers is providing is the electronic
(email) delivery of Australian Patent Applications (AU-As), Australian Patents (AU-Bs),
and Australian Innovation Patents (AU-Is). Innovation Patent are available free of
charge whilst Australian Patents/Applications are available for AUD$20 (+GST for
Australian Resident Only). Delivery is usually within 24hours, often quicker. During
our Beta Phase (which will last approximately 10 days) you may notice delivery times a
little in excess of 24 hours.
Users of the service should note that Australian Specifications prior to
approximately 1998 are only available in microfiche or paper format. IP Organisers
obtains copies of the specifications from their in-house collection, scans them into Adobe
Acrobat PDF format, and emails them direct to users. In addition, a full patent
status report is included with each specification. If you would like to find out more we
recommend that you visit the IP Organisers website.
IP Organisers will be introducing additional services in the near future,
giving users a fast, efficient and cost effective way of obtaining Australian intellectual
property information. IP Menu, will as usual, keep you informed!
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Monday, 11 February 2002
- Japan - 2nd International Patent Appeal Examination Symposium
 "The JPO held the
International Symposium on Patent Appeals in November, 1998 to promote mutual
understanding of the appeals and trials system of each country. Since then, however, there
have been various changes in relevant circumstances in the participating countries,
including the revision of regulations. We are therefore organizing the 2nd International
Patent Appeal Examination Symposium, inviting appeal examiners working for patent Offices
and researchers and practitioners from the United States, Europe, South Korea, China and
Japan to promote understanding of appeals and trials systems".
The Symposium is being held from 7 (Thursday) to 8 (Friday) March, 2002 at Akasaka Prince
Hotel (Kioi-cho 1-2, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo). Further information is available at the JPO website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Friday, 08 February 2002
- Philippines
Intellectual Property - Forum
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines have annoucned a
Forum on the "Streamlining of Procedures in Intellectual Property Violation Cases
(IPV) and Inter-Partes Cases (IPC)". The Forum will be held on Friday, 22 February
2002 from 1.30 to 4.30 pm. For further details visit the Philippines
IPO website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Thursday, 07 February 2002
- USPTO Chief
Remarks at Hearings
Just posted on the USPTO
website are the "prepared remarks" of James E. Rogan, the Under Secretary of
Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark
Office at the Hearings on Competition and Intellectual Property Law and Policy in the
Knowledge-Based Economy February 6, 2002. To read the "remarks" visit the USPTO
website here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Wednesday, 06 February 2002
- Europe - Warning On Approches Purporting to Register EP patents
The European Patent Office (EPO) has issued a
warning: "Beware of approaches and requests for payment from firms purporting to
register European patents". The EPO has indicated that many application and patent
owners have reported that organisations and individuals using names, abbreviations or
emblems that appear to be official have been inviting them to register patents in
unofficial registers or publications.
"The European Patent Office would point out that it alone performs legally effective
publication and registration of European patent applications or patents, and that it does
so automatically. The European Patent Office warns all concerned to guard against the
subterfuges of such firms and individuals. You should also be aware that because their
services have no legal effect whatsoever, there is no obligation to pay".
If you have any concerns in this area contact the European Patent Office in Munich on
(+49-89) 23 99 - 45 12. For further information, visit the EPO website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- Europe - PACE Over Patent Examination
The European Patent Office (EPO) has reported
that in the last 5 years, the number of applications filed annually with the European
Patent Office has more than doubled. In order to cope with the increase and minimise
delays in granting patents the EPO is taking steps to "further improve and simplify
the PACE programme for accelerated prosecution of European patent applications".
"PACE ensures that applicants who want their applications processed rapidly obtain
the search report, the first examination communication and any ensuing European patent as
soon as possible. Taking flexible account of applicants' specific needs, the programme
thus reduces processing time considerably compared with the average."
To read more from the EPO on their improving PACE program, visit the EPO website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- USPTO
Announces Start of E-Government Customer Training
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will begin a series of training
seminars on the electronic filing of trademark applications and other documents on 7
February 2002 in Los Angeles, USA. As you may have recently read back in August last year,
the USPTO is proposing mandatory electronic filing of trademark applications and other
trademark-related documents. Anne Chasser, the Commissioner for Trademarks will
"lead" the seminars and there is a promise of a demonstration of the TEAS
(Trademark Electronic Filing System) system. In addition to Los Angeles, seminars are
scheduled in New York City, February 22; Fort Lauderdale, March 4; Philadelphia, April 3;
and Cleveland, April 23. The Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries in those cities
will host the sessions, which are free to the public. For further information please visit
the USPTO
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- APPALERT
Database Now Available on Questel-Orbit
 Questel-Orbit have just announced the addition of the APPALERT
database to their network. From the Questel-Orbit press release:
"One-stop Alert with the Latest EP, PCT and US Applications
Questel-Orbit announces release of our Patent Applications Alert file featuring the
following application information:
EP Applications: Bibliographic, Abstract, Claims, IC Class, and Images*
US Applications: Bibliographic, Abstract, Claims, and USPCL and IC Classes
PCT Applications: Bibliographic, Abstract, IC Classes, and Images*
*Images will be available in the next few weeks
The APPALERT file contains the most recent four weeks of application publications and is
ideal for SDIs alerts..........
PRICING INFORMATION: - USD - EURO
SDI Weekly updates - USD9.00 - EURO10.00
SDI Displays ( any format ) - USD2.05 - EURO1.75
Images with SDIs - USD0.19 - EURO0.20
Online Connect Hour - USD103.00 - EURO92.00
Online & Offline Displays - USD2.05 - EURO1.75
Online Image display - USD0.19 - EURO0.20
For more information, visit the Questel-Orbit
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- USPTO
Announces 21.2% Increase for U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
"James
E. Rogan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property, announced that President
Bush is requesting a 21.2% budget increase for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in FY
2003.
The $239 million increase over the agency's FY 2002 budget encourages innovation and
reinforces confidence in the patent and trademark systems by providing the resources to
improve quality and reduce turn-around time for patents and trademarks. The President's
increase allows the agency to:
Hire 950 patent examiners
Transform trademarks to a fully electronic operation by 2004
Implement the President's management agenda, including e-government, outsourcing, and
workforce restructuring."
Further information is available on the USPTO
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- auDA
- GENERIC DOMAIN NAMES AUCTION
 As IP MENU readers will recall, auDA (the Australian Domain
Name Authority) recently released approximately 3000 generic domain names in the .com.au
namespace. The period for applications closed on 31 January 2002 and auDA have now advised
that they received 9,900 applications for 2,210 of the 3,000 names on the list. The most
popular name is ‘computers.com.au’ with 76 applications and the top 10 names
applied for are;
computers.com.au
design.com.au
computer.com.au
software.com.au
finance.com.au
health.com.au
web.com.au
marketing.com.au
internet.com.au
security.com.au
auDA advise that applications are being "assessed as soon as possible"
and the expect the process will not be finalised for a couple of months. For more
information, visit the auDA website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Monday, 04 February 2002
- Derwent
Relaunch Free Patent New Service
Derwent have now relaunched their free
patent news service. The new service - from Thomson's NewsEdge - supplies daily patent,
business and intellectual property news stories in a choice of ten categories:
- Biotechnology Patents
- Medical Device Patents
- Pharmaceutical Patents
- Advanced Telecom Technology
- Manufacturing Software
- Semiconductor Legal Issues
- Semiconductor Technology
- Business Lawsuits and Settlements
- Business Litigation
- Intellectual Property
Derwent have include a search facility and the ability to print or email to colleagues. To
find out more, visit the Derwent
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Friday, 01 February 2002
- Europe - Notice From The Office Journal
In its decisions of 18 October 2001 and 13 December 2002 the
Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation amended the EPC Implementing
Regulations.
"1. Under the amended version of Rule 25(1) EPC a divisional application can be
filed relating to any pending earlier European patent application. The word
"any" has been introduced in order to clarify that it is irrelevant what kind of
application the parent application is. The parent could thus also be an earlier divisional
application. A divisional application relating to a Euro-PCT application can only be filed
once the Euro-PCT application is pending before the EPO acting as designated or elected
Office, ie it must have entered into the regional phase".
"2. The amendment to Rule 29(2) EPC underscores and legally defines the principle
of "one independent claim per category". The only admissible exceptions to this
principle are now explicitly stated in the rule. New Rule 29(2) EPC is intended to have
the same effect as strict application of Article 84 EPC and existing Rule 29(2) EPC, but
without the lengthy substantive argumentation required hitherto. An applicant wanting more
than one independent claim in the same category must, if the EPO objects, convincingly
demonstrate that all the additional independent claims come under one of the exceptions
explicitly given in the rule. So the onus is on the applicant".
To read the full notice, visit the EPO website here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- IP MENU
Users may have noted that yesterday IP MENU server went down for about
6 hours. We apologise for any inconvience and we are pleased to report that we are back up
and running.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Thursday, 31 January 2002
- WIPO -
IPDL - Hague Express Database Now Available
The Hague Express Database includes bibliographical data and, as far as
international deposits governed exclusively or partly by the 1960 Act of the Hague
Agreement are concerned, reproductions of industrial designs relating to international
deposits that have been recorded in the International Register and published in the
International Designs Bulletin as of issue No. 1/1999. The data presented on Hague Express
are in accordance with the situation of the International Register of Industrial Designs
as at 30/11/01. For more information visit the WIPO/IPDL website.
Posted by Simon Ware.
Wednesday, 30 January 2002
- Old Derwent Searches Wanted!!!
 Steve
Mayall of Image Applications
has put a request for assistance with the next version of PatSee. He would be grateful for
copies of any Derwent WPI searches that you have available in order to test some patent
analysis software he has been working on. Steve writes "with the help of the next
version of PatSee, this analysis software will be able to extract data in a semi-automated
fashion from USPTO searches, convert the data into database containing numerous fields
(inventor, assignee, description, claims, UPC, IPC etc.) and provide a wide array of
stunning maps....The software can also automatically extract data from commercial Derwent
WPI (e.g. WPIL and WPIX) searches to give geographical and other analyses".
Steve reports that Derwent have already donated a number of searches but he is in need of
other WPI searches to ensure the software is "robust and able to tackle anything we
throw at it". If you want to help Steve and Image Applications please send your
Derwent WPI searches (zipped) to Steve at steve.mayall@imageapps.co.uk.
You can also register be be a beta tester for this software. More information is available
at his website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- UK Trade
Marks - Free Seminars: Update on Practices before the Registrar
The UK Trade Marks Registry will be holding the last in a series of
seminars on the 26 February 2002.
The seminar will cover the following topics:
- an update on examination practice;
- an update on extension of time requests in inter partes proceedings and evidence before
the Registrar;
- discussion on possible changes to opposition proceedings, and
- an update on the consultation process on the future of examination on relative grounds.
The seminar will be heldo on 26 February 2002 at 6.30 pm Newport - The Patent Office.
There is no cost for this seminar. For more information visit the UK Patent Office website
here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- USPTO Presentation on E-Commerce (EFS and PAIR)
 On 21 February 2002, commencing with Breakfast at 8.30am there
will be a meeting of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Patent
Practitioners (NAPP). There will be a presentation by Sylvia Phan from the USPTO on the
Electronic Filing System (EFS) and Status Information (PAIR).
Details:
WHEN: February 21, 2001 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast 9:00 a.m. to 11:00
a.m. - USPTO Presentation
WHERE: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Garden Room A, North Building, 199
Grandview Road, Skillman, New Jersey
COST: USD$15.00 for NAPP Members USD$25.00 for non-NAPP Members make checks payable to
the: National Association of Patent Practitioners
For more information visit the NAPP website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- DEADLINE
- 5.00 pm - 31 January 2002 (Australian EST)
Generic Domain Names in Australia (com.au)
This is a final reminder regarding Generic Doman Name
Applications in Australia.
The organisation (auDA) that administers the com.au domain has now removed
the restrictions on the registration of generic words such as cars, accounting and sport.
These words were previously unregisterable as a "com.au" domain name. With this
change, such domain names will now be in high demand.
Deadline: 31 January 2002
There is now an opportunity to get in early and lodge an application for those generic
domain names previously applied for but refused. There are approximately 3000 of these
generic names currently available and you have until 31 January 2002 to
apply for names appearing on the list. If
there are multiple applicants for a particular domain name, a closed auction will take
place, and the winning bidder will be awarded the domain name.
It is important to note that there are still some eligibility criteria that
need to be met. We can advise you appropriately on a case-by-case basis. Other generic
names not on the list will be available after 31 January 2002.
You can download a copy of the list (pdf)
from our IP Menu website Generic domain names are in high demand. Act Now!
For further information Contact: Scott Gardiner (scott.gardiner@pof.com.au) or Rodney Cruise (rodney.cruise@pof.com.au).
- STN File FSTA (Food Science and Technology Abstracts) Reload
Robert Austin (Regional Sales Manager USA - FIZ Karlsruhe) has posted a file update
to the PIUG list.
"STN File FSTA (Food Science and Technology Abstracts) has been reloaded and
moves to weekly updates.
FSTA has been reloaded and moves to weekly updates as of January 27, 2002.
At the same time, SDIs will also switch to the weekly schedule.
Additionally FSTA has been enhanced with some fields and features.
The new features are:
- stopwords are no longer used in the file
- simultaneous left and right truncations is available in the basic index
- new search field Controlled Word (/CW)
- new search and custom display fields Reference Count (/REC) and Word Count, Title (WC.T)
- new display format SCAN
- patent and priority information are now searchable and displayable
in both the STN and the DERWENT format (10% of FSTA is patents)
Prices for FSTA have not been changed. Further information on FSTA can be found at www.ifis.org"
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Tuesday, 29 January 2002
- Derwent Needs You!!!
Derwent are planning to enhance their
Derwent Drug and Derwent Crop Protection Files. Their planned enhancements will include
improvements to subject coverage, journal coverage and abstract structure. Derwent is
requesting user input during the product development process and have provided
questionnaires to assist them in this process. It is refreshing and encouraging to see an
information provider seeking users views *before* changing the database. If just having a
say is not enough incentive to participate, all completed questionnaires will be entered
into a draw for one of two US$50 Amazon gift certificates. Derwent need your feedback by 1
March 2002. Visit the Derwent website here for
further information and details of the online questionnaires.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- Canada
- Copyright Office Practice Changes
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) website is reporting
on changes to the Copyright Office Practices which become effective as of 28 January 2002.
The changes include (a) "When a work designates more than one category in an
Application for Registration of a Copyright, you are required to check the box compilation
and check the predominant category (only one) that represents the work"; and (b)
"Descriptions of works are no longer accepted in an Application for Registration
of a Copyright and the section “Applicant” should not be completed".
Please watch the CIPO website for further information.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Friday, 25 January 2002
- Interesting Patent Applications
Simon Ware from IP MENU discovered this pending US application and I thought it was
worth posting to IP MENU News. If you are wondering how to get your staff working more
efficiently, then this may be the "system" for you!!. The patent application is
US20020002522 and it is entitled "System and method for improving productivity of
individual persons"
Abstract
The present invention considers each person or worker in an economic entity as an
individual business unit ("IBU") with its own allocated revenue, cost and profit
which can be controlled by the IBU. The profit allocated to the IBU belongs to the IBU
itself. In effect, each IBU is valued as a business within the larger economic entity in
which the IBU works. A profit potential of an IBU is determined by calculating the revenue
and cost which are attributable to the IBU. The determined profit potential as capitalized
over a predetermined time period becomes a tradable commodity for sale. Each IBU's effort
is now linked to its own profit potential. If the IBU decreases its allocated cost or
increases its allocated revenue, its allocated profit increases in proportion. The
increased profit in turn increases the IBU's capitalized value. As a result, each IBU has
a substantial incentive to increase its productivity in an attempt to increase its
capitalized value.
To view the text of the specification on the USPTO website, click here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise & Simon Ware.
- Employment
Opportunity - 1
Engineering Graduates - Intellectual Property Opportunity -
Trainee Patent Attorney
Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick (the creators of IP MENU) 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. We have an outstanding opportunity in our Sydney office for a graduate qualified
in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering at Honours level. A secondary degree in Computer
Science or Law would be highly regarded. Experience working in industry and handling
intellectual property matters will be an advantage but is not essential. Thus, we would
encourage anyone already in the patent attorney profession to apply. You will be required
to undertake study and sit examinations to gain the relevant qualifications. Applications
close 15 February 2002. For further information, please visit our Employment Opportunities page.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- Employment
Opportunity - 2
Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick Lawyers is the affiliated legal
wing of Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick (the creators of IP MENU) one
of Australia's largest and most progressive firms of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys.
Established in 1888, we employ more than 100 people in the offices in Melbourne,
Sydney and Adelaide. We have an outstanding opportunity for a graduate qualified
in Law and Science at honours level to undertake Articles of Clerkship with Phillips
Ormonde & Fitzpatrick Lawyers in 2003. For further information, please visit
our Employment Opportunities page.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- PatentHunter
- Patent Downloading Software
 I have just become aware of new patent downloading software
from from PatentWizard, LLC (owned by Neustel Law Offices, LTD). I am not sure how long
this has been around but it looks quite interesting and there is a free trial. "PatentHunter
is a software program that helps patent attorneys, businesses and inventors download and
manage U.S. patents. Unlike commercial providers who can charge $5 per patent, downloading
patents with PatentHunter is FREE! PatentHunter was created by a U.S. Patent Attorney,
Michael S. Neustel of Neustel Law Offices, LTD....A Trial Version of PatentHunter is
currently available.... ". The full version of PatentHunter is USD$29.95. and
allows you to (a) download multiple patents simultaneously, (b) print clean patents
without advertising text and (c) provides free product updates for one-year. For more
information, visit the PatentHunter
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- INPADOC
Newsletters
It has been a while since we have seen any new INPADOC Newsletters (IPGs).
Two new ones have been posted to the EPO/INPADOC website.IPG
2002/02 WIPO: new number formats and IPG
2002/01 New country: Tajikistan (TJ). To view these and previous newsletters, visit
the EPO/INPADOC
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- USPTO - Notice Concerning EPO Competence to Act as a PCT Authority
A
new notice posted on the USPTO website:
"The European Patent Office (EPO) has notified the International Bureau of the
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO) that the EPO will limit their competence to act as both an International
Searching Authority and an International Preliminary Examining Authority for certain
applications filed by applicants who are residents or nationals of the United States (US).
The EPO will no longer be a competent International Searching Authority (ISA), within the
meaning of PCT Article 16(3), for international applications filed by US residents or
nationals on or after 01 March 2002 in the USPTO or International Bureau (IB) as a
receiving Office, and where the application contains one or more claims directed to the
fields of biotechnology or business methods." Full details are available on the
USPTO website here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- WIPO Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on the Role of Intellectual
Property Offices in the 21st Century
World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with
the Japan Patent Office (JPO) organised
a conference "WIPO Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on the Role of Intellectual
Property Offices in the 21st Century", which was held in Tokyo, on 11-14
September 2001. On September 12th and 13th, the heads of intellectual property Offices and
senior officials responsible for intellectual property policy of 24 countries in the
Asia-Pacific region gathered in Tokyo for the WIPO (World Intellectual Property
Organization) Asia-Pacific Regional Forum at the Hotel Okura. The results of the Forum are
published on the JPO website. Click here to view.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Thursday, 24 January 2002
- STN News
 For those
people who don't regularly receive STN's email news, I have listed the topics covered in
their recent email newsletter. Anyone can sign up to received the emails news.
To find out more, visit the STN News website or sign up for email news here.
1) BIOSIS® - patent data added; producer information and
copyright holder changed
2) CA/CAPLUS - automatic display of citations removed; patents from
italy and luxembourg covered
3) CASREACT® - verification and answer limits increased; automatic
display of citations removed
4) IFIPAT/IFICDB/IFIUDB - new display format added
5) MARPAT® - iteration and answer limits increased; automatic display
of citations removed
6) REGISTRY/ZREGISTRY - cas registry blast® capabilities added to stn
on the web; calculated properties for over 11.8 million substances added; automatic
display of citations removed
7) STANDARDS - added to database cluster
8) TOXCENTERSM - coverage increased; free connect hour
9) USPAT2 - file segment and patent kind code added to header in .ex
displays
10) USPATFULL - file segment and patent kind code added to header in .ex
displays
11) VETU/VETB - files available to non-subscribers
12) WELDASEARCH - added to database clusters
13) WPINDEX/WPIDS/WPIX - ntis publication numbers and u.s. provisional
application numbers revised
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- Australia
- IP Access
 IP Australia have released a new
online service called IP Access.
The service is aimed at entry level enquiries relating to IP protection in Australia and
covers all forms of IP from patents, trade marks, designs, domain names, circuit layouts
etc. You can registered (free) for newsletters and updates. IP Access is administered by
the Federal Government Departments that have responsibility for an area or areas of
intellectual property. These include IP Australia, the Department of Communiations
Information Technology and the Arts, the Attorney General's Department, Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry - Australia, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and
the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. For more information visit IP Access.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Wednesday, 23 January 2002
- OHIM USER SURVEY ON THE COMMUNITY TRADE MARKS BULLETIN
OHIM is considering changing the
way in which it publishes Community trade mark applications and registered trade marks.
Currently, two or three volumes of the Community Trade Marks Bulletin are published in
paper form every week. The Bulletin is also published on CD-ROM, but this product does not
have the same format as the paper version because it is based on a search engine, GTITM,
and is intended for clients wishing to take advantage of the search options offered by
this type of software. OHIM would like to make available to users a new CD-ROM containing
the Bulletin in PDF format with the intention of abandoning the paper version. To gauge
your response, OHIM is conducting a survey of Community Trade Marks bulletin. If your a
user, you may like to download the survey here.
Posted by Simon Ware.
- PATWWW
News - Download Documents in ITS/BACON Format
 PatWare
have now included an option to download documents in ITS/BACON format. "Download
the document in the ITS Format and use INCOM’s PATVIEW software. The selected
document can be displayed on the screen in several presentations. Full pages, double page
view, zooming and rotating are possible. For the printing of documents PATVIEW supports
the complete performance range. From low cost printers to high speed printers with
hardware decompression and network support. With software decompression every standard
MS-Windows printer ca be used. By using hardware decompression with XIONICS products
printing rates of 40 pages per minute are possible. With INCOM’s Patent Image
Processing Software you can now build up an in-house document archive." To view
these documents you will need their viewer software called PATVIEW. You can download the
"PATSTORE+PATVIEW" software here. The
setup program will install two programs, PATSTORE to extract the document from the ITS
file and PATVIEW to display it. For more information on PatWare visit their website (mainly in German).
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Tuesday, 22 January 2002
- Australia
- IP Australia Releases IP Toolbox
 IP
Australia has release a new CDROM product called IP Toolbox. This CDROM provides
information on the protection and commercialisation of IP and provides information on how
IP relates to business. The CDROM also covers issues such as the process of identifying
your business' IP, creating a business plan (and integrating IP into your business plan)
and how taxation relates to your IP.
IP Toolbox, available for AUD $295 from IP Australia. For more information, visit the IP
Australia (IP Toolbox) website.
IP Australia has also revamped their introduction page.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- More
Festo -1
IP Menu can report that a transcript of the first day (8 January 2002)
of the Supreme Court hearing in the FESTO case is now available on the AIPLA website. You will need to go to the
Members Committee page, select the "Patent Litigation Committee" and select the
FESTO report. The document is in Microsoft Word. Please note that you will need to be a
member of AIPLA to access
this report. Background information on FESTO can be found in our news of 16 January 2002.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- More
Festo - 2
A brief
written by Pamela Zerbinos based on Oral Arguments of 8 January 2002 in Festo Corp. v.
Shoketsu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Co.(00-1543) - Appealed From: Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit (234 F.3d 558). This "brief" is available on the Medhill School of Journalism
website.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Monday, 21 January 2002
- Iran
to Join WIPO
Raysan Patent & Trademark Agents have advised that Iran is to join
WIPO. "The Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran ratified the law of adherence of
Iran to the World Intellectual Property Organization. The law was approved in the open
session of the Assembly of 26 September 2001.This law leads Iran to enter into a new
series of international commitments for the protection and promotion of Intellectual
Property rights. Iran acceded to the Paris convention in 1958 and to the modification of
the Paris Convention dated 1967 and 1979 in 1998." Thanks to Raysan Patent & Trademark Agents for
the information.
Posted by Rodney Cruise
Saturday, 19 January 2002
Friday, 18 January 2002
- OHIM Issues Warning
OHIM has just issued
a warning: "Over the last few days, proprietors of published Community trade mark
applications or their representatives have been receiving a letter from ...
ZDR-Datenregister GmbH .... offering the registration of their trade mark in the
"Central Data-Register Community Trade Marks" for payment of 1.235,40 euro".
OHIM advise that this register has nothing to do with the OHIM's Community Trade Marks
Register or any of its official publications, such as the Community Trade Marks Bulletin.
OHIM have provided a copy of the type of letter. Click here to view.
"ZDR-Datenregister is a private German company, previously denounced for sending
such letters seeking payment for entries in a private register containing information
relating to industrial property titles already recorded in the German Patent and Trade
Mark Office or elsewhere. That company and those responsible for its operations are
currently under investigation by German law enforcement authorities for alleged fraud and
other offences. The register that ZDR-Datenregister refers to, if it exists at all, is
likely to be of no value for Community trade mark owners."
To read more, visit the OHIM site here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
- USPTO Pulse - January 2002 - Volume 10 Number 1 Now Available
The January 2002 edition of the USPTO Pulse is now available
from the USPTO. The articles this month include:
- USPTO Employees Welcome Jon Dudas - "We welcome Jon Dudas
to the USPTO family. Mr. Dudas has been appointed by Secretary Don Evans as Deputy Under
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO".
- USPTO Exceeds Goal for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) - "Again,
this year, the USPTO has exceeded the goal set for the Combined Federal Campaign, and each
of you deserve the credit".
- Al Smith leaves us with Planting Seeds of Change - "Al Smith, a director
in TC 3600, is retiring after 44 years in public service, and he shares some of his
memories and feelings as he leaves his USPTO family".
- Digging begins at new USPTO Carlyle Site - "On December 19, 2001, the
consolidation project moved another step forward when the developer, LCOR, secured
financing to build USPTO's new headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. As a result, the
construction phase has officially started!"
- Join the First On-Line Dialogue with Director James E. Rogan - "Join in
the first live, lunch-time, on-line dialogue with Director Rogan on Thursday, February 7th
at noon".
To read Pulse, click here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise
- USPTO - Letter from Commissoner of Patents Godici to Registered
Practitioners
The USPTO appears to be
encouraging professionals to look to their website for the latest information from the
USPTO. Seem obvious, but a reminder never hurts! "On January 16, 2002, Nicholas
Godici, Commissioner for Patents, signed a letter that will be mailed to all registered
patent practitioners. The letter encourages patent practitioners to monitor the USPTO
Internet Web site for current information regarding mail delays and other time sensitive
notices". Read the full letter from the Commissioner here (PDF).
Posted by Rodney Cruise.
Wednesday, 16 January 2002
- Reminder
! - Australia - Release of Generic "com.au" Domain Names
This is a further update and reminder regarding new changes to the
policy on registering "generic" domain names under com.au. We have created
a special page on IP MENU that provides details and the list of available generic domain names. Click here to visit it. As always, if you
have any questions feel free to contact me.
The organisation (auDA)
that administers the com.au domain has decided to remove the restriction on the
registration of generic words (such as cars, accounting or bank). These domains were
previously considered to be generic and unregisterable. With this change in auDA
policy, it is expected that such generic domain names will be in high demand.
auDA have published a list of com.au domain names where application(s) have been
received under the current regime bu refused as the name was considered
"generic". Applicants now have only until 31 January 2002
to apply for names appearing on the list. If ther is more than one applicant for a
particular name a closed auction
wil take place and the winning beidder will be awarded the domain name. Generic
names not on this list will become available on a first come first served basis after 31
January 2002.
It is unfortunate, but auDA have only allowed a limited time to act in relation to
these generic domain names. There are eligibility requirements for applicants.
If you are interested in finding out more you can contact auDA . If you are interested in
establishing whether you meet eligibility requirements or are interested in applying for a
generic name, Phillips Ormonde &
Fitzpatrick (IP Menu's owners) will be happy to assist you. For further
information from Phillips Ormonde, contact Scott
Gardiner on domains@pof.com.au.
IP Menu has put a complete list of "generic" domain names available in
this first phase on our website. You can download the PDF document here.
Posted by Rodney Cruise
|
GetIPDL
have released a further Beta upgrade (1.0.130) which is a more stable version of the
program. A history of the software changes can be found