tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192601022024-03-07T13:16:29.182-05:00:: The Patent Librarian's Notebook ::Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comBlogger374125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-77164314139150517652015-02-19T16:25:00.003-05:002015-02-19T16:25:25.616-05:00As of January 2015, the Patent Librarian's Notebook has moved to WordPress at <a href="http://patentlibrarian.com/">http://patentlibrarian.com/</a>. Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-65173397421784709552013-12-31T10:50:00.000-05:002013-12-31T10:58:53.963-05:00U.S. Patent Statistics and Numbers for 2013<br />
The USPTO issued 305,081 patents in 2013, an increase of 10.2 percent over 2012. The agency also published 347,148 utility and plant patent applications, an increase of 4.7 percent over the previous year. The total number of U.S. patent documents published in 2013 increased to 752,229, another all-time high. Table 1 shows the number of documents by type.<br />
<br />
<b>Table 1. US Patents by Type Issued in 2013*</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><th style="text-align: left;">Type</th><th>Total</th></tr>
<tr><td>Utility patents</td><td style="text-align: right;">279,899</td></tr>
<tr><td>Reissue patents</td><td style="text-align: right;">844</td></tr>
<tr><td>Design patents</td><td style="text-align: right;">23,479</td></tr>
<tr><td>Plant patents</td><td style="text-align: right;">846</td></tr>
<tr><td>SIRs</td><td style="text-align: right;">13</td></tr>
<tr><td>Applications</td><td style="text-align: right;">347,148</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Based on preliminary data from the USPTO website. Totals may
change after the fact due to withdrawn patents and published
applications.
<br />
<br />
On August 6, the USPTO reached another milestone, issuing patent no. 8,500,000. Design patents are rapidly approaching the 700,000 mark; it is likely that D700,000 will be issued in February 2014. <br />
<br />
The USPTO abolished the Statutory Invention Registration (SIR) Program in March. The number of SIRs published during the 28 years the program was in existence was approximately 2,260. The number of SIRs per year has steadily decreased since the USPTO began publishing applications in 2001. Only 13 SIRs were published this year, almost twice as many as in 2012. <br />
<br />
<b>Table 2. US Patent Number Ranges, Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2013</b><br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
</tbody></table>
<table><tbody>
<tr><th style="text-align: left;">Type</th><th>First Number</th><th>Last Number</th></tr>
<tr><td>Utility patent</td><td>8,341,762</td><td>8,621,661</td></tr>
<tr><td>Reissue patent</td><td>RE43,844</td><td>RE44,688</td></tr>
<tr><td>Design patent</td><td>D673,356</td><td>D696,835</td></tr>
<tr><td>Plant patent</td><td>PP23,288</td><td>PP24,134</td></tr>
<tr><td>SIR</td><td>H2,274</td><td>H2,287</td></tr>
<tr><td>Utility application</td><td>2013/0000001</td><td>2013/347149</td></tr>
<tr><td>Plant application</td><td>2013/0007930</td><td>2013/347159</td><td></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-77354828132015016602013-12-29T21:38:00.001-05:002013-12-29T21:38:37.451-05:00Tangle toy puzzle<br />A few days ago I took my four-year old daughter to get a flu shot. As a reward for being brave and not crying (too much) the nurse gave her a puzzle-toy called a Tangle(R). Turns out it was patented in 1985 (<a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=19850409&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=4509929A&KC=A&ND=6">US 4509929</a>) by Richard Zawitz. There are several interesting things about this toy. First, it has one of the least descriptive patent titles I've seen since the Koosh ball: "Annular support device with pivotal segments". Second, prior to filing a patent application, Zawitz filed several copyright registrations under the title "Zawitz tangle ornamental sculpture". Finally, in 1993 Zawitz was granted a design patent (<a href="http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=D0334416&idkey=NONE">D334,416</a>) on the individual segments that make up the toy. Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-61870894127115854502013-12-29T19:10:00.000-05:002013-12-29T19:33:36.709-05:00Humble Egg Carton Invented by Canadian 100 Years AgoCanadian newspaperman <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-inventor-created-better-way-to-carry-eggs/article16118691/">Joseph Coyle</a> invented the humble egg carton nearly one hundred years ago. Coyle was not the first inventor to tackle the problem of transporting eggs safely, but his carton design, which he patented in the US (<a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=19180611&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=1269394A&KC=A&ND=4">US1269394</a>) and Canada (<a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=19180115&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=CA&NR=181662A&KC=A&ND=4">CA181662</a>) in 1918, was one of the most successful. A number of egg carton designs were patented from the late 1890s forward. These are classified under CPC code B65D85/32+. <br />
<br />
Coyle continued inventing well into his 70s and received more than a dozen patents relating to egg cartons, among other things. In 1943, he received his last patent (<a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=19431012&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=CA&NR=415836A&KC=A&ND=4">CA415836</a>) for a carton suitable for holding and transporting fruit. <br />
<br />
The iconic 12-egg carton that is still in use today was designed in the 1930s by Francis H. Sherman, who received design patent <a href="http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=D0095291&idkey=NONE">D95,291</a> in 1935. Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-20509200884079063592013-12-19T12:10:00.001-05:002013-12-19T12:10:36.492-05:00PatentScope Adds Canadian National Collection<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
An early Christmas present from the WIPO:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/" target="_blank">PatentScope</a>
now includes the Canadian national collection from ~1920 forward. No PDFs yet,
it appears, but full text (based on OCR) is available for some patents. A few
pre-1970s patents have IPC codes, so keyword searching may be required for some
types of searches. This gives researchers another option for searching Canadian
patents from the early 20<sup>th</sup> century forward. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Other national collections to be added in the next few months include the
Eurasian Patent Office, Germany, and UK.</div>
Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-82266109455075719492013-08-26T21:26:00.003-04:002013-08-26T21:26:40.404-04:00USPTO Adopts PDF for Patent DocumentsThe USPTO has adopted PDF as the <a href="http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/help/images.htm">default format</a> for displaying patent documents from its databases, making it one of the last (if not last) of the major patent offices to switch to the world's most popular document image format. Since 1998, viewing US patent documents obtained from the USPTO website required the use of a TIFF plugin such as alternaTIFF or interneTIFF. Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-13293421142751627222013-08-21T21:06:00.000-04:002013-08-21T21:06:01.428-04:00US Patent Milestone: 8,500,000The USPTO reached another milestone on August 6, issuing patent no. <a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=20130806&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=8500000B2&KC=B2&ND=5">8,500,000 B2</a> to Elmer Berendas of Germany for a "Device for locking and unlocking the jalousie (rolling shutter) of a container."According to the patent, this type of container is commonly used in ATMs. <br />
<br />
So far this year the USPTO has issued 173,546 utility patents, putting on track to issue more than 260,000 this year. At that rate the next milestone, patent no. 9,000,000, could be reached by early 2015. Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-28069915916368318722013-07-23T22:03:00.002-04:002013-07-23T22:03:34.615-04:00Obit: Amar G. Bose (1929-2013), Bose <a href="http://www.physicstoday.org/daily_edition/enterprise/what_we_hear_from_bose">Amar G. Bose</a>, inventor of the audio system that bears his name, passed away on July 12 at the age of 84. In addition to being a successful inventor and entrepreneur, Bose taught acoustics and electrical engineering for 45 years at MIT. Bose received approximately 45 patents during his lifetime. His earliest patent, <a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=19591201&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=2915588A&KC=A&ND=4">US2915588</a>, was for a pressure wave (sonic wave) generation system. His most recent application, <a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=20120712&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=2012177215A1&KC=A1&ND=5">US2012177215A1</a>, filed in 2011, discloses a transducer with an integrated sensor. The <a href="http://www.bose.com/">Bose Corp.</a>, whose motto is "Better Sound Through Research", holds more than 1,900 patents and pending applications. Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-8226131447834323302013-07-09T09:07:00.001-04:002013-07-09T09:07:13.769-04:00USPTO Launches Global Patent Search NetworkThe USPTO has launched a new patent search system called the <a href="http://gpsn.uspto.gov/#/">Global Patent Search Network</a> (GPSN). Initial coverage includes Chinese published applications, patents, utility models from 2008 through 2011. Users can search patent documents in the
English or Chinese language and retrieve full-text
Chinese patents and machine translations.Additional Chinese patents and other national collections will be added over time.Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-30062122190887269862013-07-08T21:02:00.002-04:002013-07-09T10:50:36.199-04:00Roswell-Inspired Inventions<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3TVR_4JVMPW-WRWEtAEhvhg65iWEo-up_NR2dwT-5DL26_oMhDJ0VmRoRki76njJNMpKMAcNaLcagdjOSjHMrwTrdzWpcMAaaWpvZPsNm_9ImrBVxWH_vOj-UjDvFG9KEJgK/s1600/ufo-patent-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3TVR_4JVMPW-WRWEtAEhvhg65iWEo-up_NR2dwT-5DL26_oMhDJ0VmRoRki76njJNMpKMAcNaLcagdjOSjHMrwTrdzWpcMAaaWpvZPsNm_9ImrBVxWH_vOj-UjDvFG9KEJgK/s1600/ufo-patent-01.png" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
UFO enthusiasts and true believers are celebrating the 66th anniversary of the Roswell Incident, the alleged crash of an extraterrestrial spacecraft outside the small town of Roswell, New Mexico in July 1947. The event marked the start of a wave of flying saucer sightings around the world. Inventors were quick to capitalize on the public's mania for all things alien, filing numerous patent applications for everything from saucer-shaped salt and pepper shakers (<a href="https://www.google.com/patents?id=wJVxAAAAEBAJ&zoom=4&dq=D161683&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q=D161683&f=false">USD161683</a>) to advanced aircraft designs like the one above (<a href="https://www.google.com/patents?id=OPtOAAAAEBAJ&zoom=4&dq=2%2C718%2C364&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q=2,718,364&f=false">US2718364</a>). There's even a CPC patent classification for flying saucers, <a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/classification?locale=en_EP#!/CPC=B64C39/001">B64C39/001</a>. UFO hunters looking for evidence of alien technology in the patent record won't find much. Aliens, it seems, prefer trade secrets.</div>
Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-66422435849000148532013-07-05T14:57:00.001-04:002013-07-05T14:57:16.755-04:00Obit: Inventor of Computer Mouse, Douglas C. EngelbartDouglas C. Engelbart, the inventor of the computer mouse, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/04/technology/douglas-c-engelbart-inventor-of-the-computer-mouse-dies-at-88.html">died</a> this week at the age of 88. He patented his simple but highly innovative invention, called an "X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System", in 1970. (<a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=19701117&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=3541541A&KC=A&ND=4">US 3541541</a>) Engelbart's invention helped launch the age of the personal computer. Millions of mice are produced each year. Engelbart's mouse patent has been cited in 137 patents. The CPC classification for computer mice is <a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/classification?locale=en_EP#!/CPC=G06F3/03543">G06F3/03543</a>.Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-47095357103742885092013-06-02T21:06:00.000-04:002013-06-02T21:06:08.974-04:00Statutory Invention Registration AbolishedOn March 16, 2013, the Statutory Invention Registration was abolished under the provisions of the America Invents Act. The purpose of the SIR was to allow an inventor who did not wish to get a patent to disclose their invention in a published document, thus preventing others from patenting it. The USPTO has published approximately 2,500 SIRs since the program was established in the mid-1980s as a replacement for the Defensive Publication Program. The number of SIRs per year has steadily decreased since the USPTO began publishing applications in 2001. Only seven were published in 2012.<br />
<br />Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-55552768189902231622013-06-02T20:45:00.002-04:002013-06-02T20:45:53.450-04:00Patent Milestone in August?The USPTO is on track to issue patent no. 8,500,000 later this summer. At the current rate of about five thousand new patents each week, no. 8,500,000 should appear sometime in August. Patent no. 8,000,000 was issued on August 16, 2011, just two years ago. It took over 100 years, from 1790 to 1911, for the U.S. to issue its millionth patent. Since that time, the interval has been steadily decreasing. At the current rate patent no. 9,000,000 will issue in 2015.<br />
<br />
<b>U.S. Patent Milestones</b><br />
<br />
<b>Year<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>No.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Interval</b><br />
2011<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>8,000,000<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5 years<br />
2006 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>7,000,000 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>7<br />
1999 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>6,000,000 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>8<br />
1991 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5,000,000 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>15<br />
1976 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>4,000,000 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>15<br />
1961 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>3,000,000 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>26<br />
1935 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2,000,000<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>24<br />
1911 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1,000,000<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>121Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-86404739728808677212013-01-28T21:09:00.000-05:002013-01-28T21:09:10.335-05:00US Patent Statistics for 2012The USPTO issued 276,820 patents and published 331,583 applications in calendar year
2012, 7 percent more than in 2011 and an all-time high of 608,403 patent documents.Table 1 shows the number of documents by type.<br />
<br />
No milestones were reached in 2012, but in 2013 it's virtually guaranteed that the USPTO will issue patent no. 8,500,000. And design patents are rapidly approaching the 700,000 mark. <br />
<br />
<b>Table 1. US Patents by Type Issued in 2012*</b><br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><th style="text-align: left;">Type</th><th>Total</th></tr>
<tr><td>Utility patents</td><td style="text-align: right;">253,178</td></tr>
<tr><td>Reissue patents</td><td style="text-align: right;">822</td></tr>
<tr><td>Design patents</td><td style="text-align: right;">21,952</td></tr>
<tr><td>Plant patents</td><td style="text-align: right;">860</td></tr>
<tr><td>SIRs</td><td style="text-align: right;">8</td></tr>
<tr><td>Applications</td><td style="text-align: right;">331,583</td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Based on preliminary data from the USPTO website. Totals may
change after the fact due to withdrawn patents and published
applications.
<br />
<br />
<b>Table 2. US Patent Number Ranges, Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2012</b><br />
<table><tbody>
</tbody></table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr><th style="text-align: left;">Type</th><th>First Number</th><th>Last Number</th></tr>
<tr><td>Utility patent</td><td>8,087,094</td><td>8,341,760</td></tr>
<tr><td>Reissue patent</td><td>RE43,053</td><td>RE43,883</td></tr>
<tr><td>Design patent</td><td>D651,376</td><td>D673,345</td></tr>
<tr><td>Plant patent</td><td>PP22,428</td><td>PP23,287</td></tr>
<tr><td>SIR</td><td>H2,266</td><td>H2,273</td></tr>
<tr><td>Utility application</td><td>2012/0000001</td><td>2012/321207</td></tr>
<tr><td>Plant application</td><td>2012/0005794</td><td>2012/331605</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-74427031875052306542013-01-01T20:46:00.001-05:002013-01-01T20:46:05.465-05:00Jury Awards Carnegie Mellon University $1.16 Billion in Patent LawsuitA jury has awarded Carnegie Mellon University more than $1.16 billion in a <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/legal/cmu-wins-billion-dollar-patent-infringement-lawsuit-667886/">patent infringement lawsuit </a>against a tech firm based in Santa Clara, California. An appeal is expected, but if the verdict stands this could be the largest patent infringement award in U.S. history. Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-60198631665008584512012-12-17T14:30:00.000-05:002012-12-17T14:30:03.541-05:00China Leads US in Patent ApplicationsIn 2011 China surpassed the US in patent application filings, according to <a href="http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2012/article_0025.html">data</a> compiled by the World Intellectual Property Organization and reported in <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/economic-and-financial-indicators/21568402-patent-applications ">the Economist</a>.
The State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China (SIPO) received 526,412 applications in 2011, compared to slightly more than 500,000 at the USPTO and approximately 340,000 at the Japan Patent Office.
In related news, the European Patent Office and SIPO recently <a href="http://www.epo.org/news-issues/news/2012/20121206.html">announced</a> that Chinese to English machine translation is now available in its Patent Translate service, which is integrated with <a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com">Espacenet</a>. An additional four million Chinese patent documents are now available in Espacenet.
Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-39740198152387301832012-11-12T22:31:00.001-05:002012-11-12T22:31:12.393-05:00Pfizer`s Viagra Patent Invalidated Due to Failure to Disclose<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
The
Supreme Court of Canada has <a href="http://scc.lexum.org/decisia-scc-csc/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/12679/index.do">invalidate</a> Pfizer's Canadian patent on
Viagra, citing the drug-maker's failure to disclose essential
information about the main ingredient, s<span lang="en">ildenafil citrate, </span>in
the original application, which was filed in 1994 and granted in 1998.
(<a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=19941222&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=CA&NR=2163446A1&KC=A1&ND=4">CA 2163446</a>) The appellant in the case was generic drug maker Teva Canada Ltd. </div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
Pfizer holds several other patents related to Viagra, all
of which are listed in the <a href="http://www.patentregister.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1352776922_0">Canadian Drug Patent Register</span></a>.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
Here are a couple of stories from the Globe and Mail:</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
Editorial</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/the-supreme-court-viagra-and-innovation/article5172101/" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1352776922_1">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/the-supreme-court-viagra-and-innovation/article5172101/</span></a> </div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
Supreme Court backs Canadian firm’s bid to make generic Viagra</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;">
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/supreme-court-backs-canadian-firms-bid-to-make-generic-viagra/article5086216/" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1352776922_2">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/supreme-court-backs-canadian-firms-bid-to-make-generic-viagra/article5086216/</span></a> </div>
Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-65462942336949504692012-10-19T16:22:00.001-04:002012-10-19T16:22:19.112-04:00Swiss Patent Office Adopts CPC<span class="yiv1213291376tab" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1350667277443_214">As of Jan. 1, 2013, the <a href="https://www.ige.ch/en/news-archiv/news/news-details/news/neue-patentklassifikation-online-1/444.html">Swiss Patent Office</a> will classify patents using the CPC. <span class="yiv1213291376tab" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1350667277443_214">This might be the first office (except for the EPO and USPTO) to officially adopt the CPC as its national classification.</span></span>Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-81450793369648576902012-10-03T09:11:00.002-04:002012-10-03T09:12:00.966-04:00Cooperative Patent Classification AvailableThe USPTO and EPO have released the new Cooperative Patent Classification system ahead of the January 1, 2013 implementation date. Details are available at the <a href="http://www.cooperativepatentclassification.org/">CPC website</a>. Documentation includes the entire CPC scheme, an initial set of definitions and CPC concordances.Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-65281850365626256282012-09-14T16:23:00.002-04:002012-10-03T09:12:20.775-04:00New: FreePatentsOnline Adds DE Patent Data, Other Resources<a href="http://www.freepatentsonline.com/">FreePatentsOnline</a> has updated its interface and added some new resources. One of the most interesting developments is the addition of German patent data. Other new features include blogs, a version of the MPEP and a case law database containing Federal appellate cases referenced in the MPEP. Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-51442226275854346762012-08-09T15:48:00.001-04:002012-08-09T15:48:40.187-04:00PatentScope Has JP Data<a href="http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/news/pctdb/2012/news_0008.html">Japanese patent documents</a> are now available in PatentScope. The JP national collection is the 29th added to the system and includes more than 3 million records from January 2004 through July 2012. New data will be added weekly.<br />
<br />
JP documents can be searched by number or IPC classification. But in order to search by name or keyword, one has to use PatentScope's Cross Lingual Expansion search mode.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-24903778679649022972012-07-10T16:05:00.002-04:002012-07-10T16:05:20.224-04:00Canadian Invents Device to Help Cystic Fibrosis Patients Breath<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Interesting <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/backyard-ingenuity-helps-cystic-fibrosis-sufferers/article4401763/">story</a> about a Canadian man suffering from cystic fibrosis who patented a device that helps him breath. His patents for a "chest vibrating device" include </span></span><a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=20060427&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=US&NR=2006089575A1&KC=A1&ND=4" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">US7416536 (B2)</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
and </span><a href="http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?FT=D&date=20070424&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=CA&NR=2563723A1&KC=A1&ND=4" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">CA2563723 (C)</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></h6>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Medical devices are a bit more challenging to commercialize because they require the approval of various government agencies. In this case, Health Canada approved the device late last year, almost ten years after the first patent application and four years after the US patent was granted. </span></span><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"></span>Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-72815920912414885942012-07-04T16:21:00.000-04:002012-07-04T16:21:14.489-04:00Happy 4th of July!Tonight millions of Americans will enjoy firework shows in celebration of Independence Day. Millions more may even set off a few firecrackers and bottle rockets in their backyards. Many of these pyrotechnics can trace their origins to designs patented decades ago. Patents for fireworks and other pyrotechnics are found in the U.S. Patent Classification under <a href="http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/classification/uspc102/sched102.htm#C102S335000">102/335</a>. Firecrackers specifically are found under 102/361. The oldest patent in this subclass was issued on August 7, 1883 to Jinta Hirayama of Yokohama, Japan (<a href="http://www.google.com/patents?id=SydNAAAAEBAJ&zoom=4&dq=patent%20282891&pg=PA2#v=onepage&q=patent%20282891&f=false">US 282,891</a>). Hirayama's invention, described as "day-light fireworks", consisted of a shell packed with powder and paper cutouts of birds, animals and people. Once lit, the shell would explode and shower the immediate area with paper confetti. <br />
<br />
Happy 4th of July!Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-38652482350335266312012-07-04T15:04:00.002-04:002012-07-04T15:04:28.827-04:00RIM's Troubles and Canadian PatentsReports of RIM's demise may be premature but the company's <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/as-rim-struggles-ceo-thorsten-heins-reaches-out-to-canadians/article4385636/">precarious situation</a> might be a concern for officials at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. For the better part of a decade, RIM has been one of CIPO's best customers; since 2005-2006 it has consistently ranked as the<a href="http://www.cipo.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr03466.html#table11"> top patent applicant</a> in Canada. Last year RIM filed 569 new patent applications and received 244 patents. RIM's application and examination fees and the maintenance fees its pays on its large portfolio of patents represent a fair bit of income for the CIPO. The current standard filing fee for a patent application is $400, so RIM's 569 applications last year would have cost at least $227,000. If RIM dramatically reduces the number of applications it files, or stops filing altogether, it will cost the CIPO hundreds of thousands in lost revenue. If RIM sells all or part of its patent portfolio, then presumably the new owners would continue to pay the maintenance fees in order to prevent the patents from expiring.Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19260102.post-7326848745995433312012-07-04T09:14:00.000-04:002012-07-04T09:14:03.322-04:00USPTO satellite offices; European patent moves forwardBig patent news from Europe and the US:<br />
<br />
<br />
The USPTO is planning to open <a href="http://www.uspto.gov/news/pr/2012/12-40.jsp">three new satellite offices</a> in Dallas, Denver and Silicon Valley, bringing the total number of regional offices to four. The first USPTO satellite office will open in Detroit on July 13. By coincidence, July 13 is also the 176th anniversary of the first patent issued under the Patent Act of 1836, US 1. In establishing regional offices the USPTO hopes to make it easier for applicants to obtain patents in a timely manner and reduce its backlog of pending applications. <br />
<br />
Across the Atlantic, negotiators <a href="http://www.epo.org/news-issues/news/2012/20120629.html">agreed</a> that the European patent court should be located in Paris with offices in Munich and London. This decision moves Europe one step closer to establishing a single European patent granted by the EPO.Michael Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08133157417935883019noreply@blogger.com