Enhanced Patent Legal Status Searching for PatBase, the global patent database

Sept. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- As patent sales and licensing deals and patent infringement cases increasingly dominate world headlines, the need for accurate, easily accessible and interpretable legal status data is more critical than ever. Recognising this need, Minesoft and RWS Group have introduced impressive new legal status data functionality to PatBase.

Legal Status Timeline

The new Legal Status Timeline gives searchers a fresh way to obtain an overview of the legal events that have occurred during the lifetime of a patent application. The colour-coded timeline makes it easy to see events over time, with a legend provided for quick reference.

Status information is additionally available for EP (European) designated states once the European patent has granted – this represents a distinct advantage to PatBase users since this information is not readily available on other patent search platforms.

Legal Status Groupings

To improve search efficiency, the PatBase data team has now completed a project to create Legal Event Groupings. Similar events (for example Lapsed/Expired/Ceased/Dead) are grouped together and can now be searched simultaneously from the Legal Status search form, saving valuable time.

Informing Business Decisions

Ann Chapman, Director at Minesoft, added “Celebrating its 10^th anniversary year from October 2013, PatBase incorporates the European Patent Office (EPO) worldwide legal status file INPADOC, which has formed the basis for legal status patent searching for patent professionals for decades.

In partnership with RWS, we have focussed development efforts on Legal Status functionality in PatBase that will assist users in making informed decisions regarding freedom-to-operate in the marketplace, technology transfer and licensing opportunities and competitive intelligence. Used in conjunction with existing features such as direct national register links and colour-coded legal status tables, these latest enhancements will benefit any searcher looking for concise legal status information for patents.”

For further information on PatBase, please contact Minesoft on info@minesoft.com

PatBase is developed in partnership by Minesoft and RWS Group

About Minesoft:

Minesoft develops patent, scientific & technology publishing database products and services for intellectual property and research specialists. Building global patent information solutions since 1996, Minesoft’s products are used daily by leading corporations, national Patent Offices, IP Firms – relied upon by patent, engineering and chemical research specialists around the world.

www.minesoft.com

About RWS

RWS was founded more than 40 years ago and is one of the world’s leading scientific and technical patent search and translation companies, with well-established offices in the UK, US, Europe, Japan and China.

www.rws.com