Patent information in a changing world: Perspectives from a major patent office

Wolfgang Pilch and Daniel Shalloe

World Patent Information, 2005, vol. 27, issue 4, 287-291

Abstract: The patent information field is in a state of flux, caused by new tools and changing habits and philosophies. In this article a number of major issues arising from this situation are discussed, some ways in which the EPO is responding are described, and some ideas on future developments provided. Patents are increasingly rated as valuable assets, but is patent information, and especially bibliographic patent information, being treated with the same meticulousness as in the past? More people are searching than ever before. But are they squeezing out the information professional? What effect will the IPC reform, the arrival of XML and other developments have? By focussing on completeness, timeliness and correctness, can patent offices make a contribution to alleviate the situation? The author concludes that, more than ever before, it is important that expert patent information professionals ensure that their views and needs are communicated to both initial data suppliers, mainly patent offices, and to commercial database suppliers and hosts.

Keywords: Bibliographic; information; Patent; information; Commercial; databases; Internet; databases; Information; professionals; IPC; reform; Patent; offices; Completeness; Timeliness; Correctness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005
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