United States Patent and Trademark Office OG Notices: 07 May 2002
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
RIN 0651-AB34
Proposed Plan for an
Electronic Public Search Facility
AGENCY: Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public hearing and request for comments on the proposed
plan for an electronic public search facility
SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office
(USPTO) is proposing a plan to eliminate the paper patent and trademark
registration collections from its public search facilities and to
transition to electronic patent and trademark information collections.
The USPTO has determined that paper patent and trademark registration
collections are no longer needed for public reference because of the
availability of mature and reliable electronic search systems in its
public search facilities. The USPTO is seeking public comment on issues
related to this proposed plan. The USPTO is also seeking input on
whether any governmental entity or non-profit organization is
interested in acquiring the paper patent and trademark registration
collections to be removed from the USPTO's public search facilities.
DATES: A public hearing will be held on May 16, 2002,
starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending no later than 5 p.m. Those wishing to
speak must request an opportunity to do so no later than April 30,
2002. Speakers should provide a written copy of their remarks for
inclusion in the record.
To be ensured of consideration, written comments must be received on or
before May 16, 2002.
Any interested governmental entity or non-profit organization should
contact the USPTO on or before May 24, 2002, to indicate a desire to
acquire the paper patent and trademark registration collections to be
removed from the USPTO's public search facilities.
ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held in the Patent Theater located
on the second floor of Crystal Park 2, Room 200, 2121 Crystal Drive,
Arlington, VA. Any request to speak at the public hearing must be submitted
by electronic mail message over the Internet to paper-removal@uspto.gov
or by facsimile to (703) 308-7792, marked to the attention of
Ronald Hack, Deputy Chief Information Officer for Information Technology
Services. Comments should be sent by electronic mail message over the
Internet addressed to: paper-removal@uspto.gov. Comments may also be
submitted by mail addressed to: Under Secretary of Commerce for
Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, Washington, D.C. 20231, marked to the attention of
Ronald Hack, Deputy Chief Information Officer for Information Technology
Services, or by facsimile to (703) 308-7792. Although comments may be
submitted by mail or facsimile, the USPTO prefers to receive comments by
electronic mail message over the Internet. The USPTO also prefers that the
comments be submitted as machine-readable submissions provided as
unformatted text (e.g., ASCII or plain text), or as formatted text in
Microsoft Word (Macintosh, DOS or Windows versions) or WordPerfect
(Macintosh, DOS or Windows versions) format. If submitted by mail,
machine-readable submissions may be provided on a 3 1/2-inch floppy disk
formatted for use in either a Macintosh or MSDOS-based computer, and must
be accompanied by a paper copy.
Any governmental entity or non-profit organization interested in
acquiring the paper patent and trademark registration collections to be
removed from the USPTO's public search facilities should contact Ronald
Hack, Deputy Chief Information Officer for Information Technology
Services by facsimile marked "ATTN PAPER COLLECTIONS" at (703) 308-7792.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald Hack by
telephone at (703) 305- 9095, by facsimile at (703) 308-7792, by
electronic mail at ronald.hack@uspto.gov; to Martha Sneed by telephone
at (703) 308-5558, by facsimile at (703) 306-2662, by electronic mail
at martha.sneed@uspto.gov; or by mail addressed to the Under Secretary
of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States
Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231, marked to the
attention of Ronald Hack, Deputy Chief Information Officer for
Information Technology Services.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USPTO proposes a transition to electronic
patent and trademark information collections in its on- campus public
search facilities in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia, by eliminating the
classified paper patents and trademark registrations from the Patent
Search Room located in Crystal Plaza 3/4, 2021 South Clark Place, and the
Trademark Search Library located in the South Tower Building, 2900 Crystal
Drive. The USPTO has determined that these collections are no longer needed
for public reference because of the availability of mature and reliable
replacement in-house electronic search systems in its public search
facilities. The USPTO has devoted significant resources to the successful
development of electronic search systems now widely used throughout the
USPTO public search facilities. They provide equivalent functionality to
the paper files and superior storage, maintenance and efficiency features.
The paper classified files are incomplete by nature of the format. There
may be missing or misfiled documents, potentially impacting search results
which rely only on the paper classified files. Replacement of paper
collections provides the USPTO the ability to migrate away from
reliance on paper-based resources in its public search facilities and
focus its limited resources on increased support of the electronic
resources.
I. Introduction
Section 41(i)(1) of Title 35, United States Code (U.S.C.),
requires the USPTO to maintain for use by the public collections of
United States patents, foreign patent documents, and United States
trademark registrations arranged to permit search for and retrieval of
information. See 35 U.S.C. 41(i)(1). Section 4804(d)(1) of the American
Inventors Protection Act of 1999 (AIPA) amended 35 U.S.C. 41(i)(1) to
allow the USPTO to maintain an electronic collection of these
documents, in place of the former requirement in 35 U.S.C. 41(i)(1)
that the USPTO maintain a collection of these documents in paper or
microfilm. See Public Law 106-113, 113 Stat. 1501, 1501A-589 (1999).
Section 4804(d)(2) of the AIPA, however, provides that the USPTO shall
not:
cease to maintain, for use by the public, paper or microform
collections of United States patents, foreign patent documents, and
United States trademark registrations, except pursuant to notice and
opportunity for public comment and except that the Director shall first
submit a report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and
the House of Representatives detailing such plan, including a
description of the mechanisms in place to ensure the integrity of such
collections and the data contained therein, as well as to ensure prompt
public access to the most current available information, and certifying
that the implementation of such plan will not negatively impact the
public.
See Public Law 106-113, 113 Stat. at 1501A-590.
Section 41(i)(2) of Title 35, U.S.C., also provides that:
The Director shall provide for the full deployment of the
automated search systems of the Patent and Trademark Office so that
such systems are available for use by the public, and shall assure full
access by the public to, and dissemination of, patent and trademark
information, using a variety of automated methods, including electronic
bulletin boards and remote access by users to mass storage and
retrieval systems.
The USPTO has been actively engaged in a program to automate
access to U.S. patents and to U.S. trademark registrations for a number
of years. The first automated search systems were publicly deployed in
1985 for U.S. trademarks and 1989 for U.S. patents and have been
upgraded and enhanced to the extent that they now meet or surpass the
U.S. paper collections in completeness and timeliness of newly added
material, and provide equivalent or better functionality in search
strategy. Patent examiners and trademark examining attorneys have used
these systems daily since their inception. As a result, the USPTO has
had feedback on the operation of these systems and knows that the
systems perform to the task and are user friendly. A selected inventory
of publicly available USPTO searchable databases is included in the
Appendix.
These replacement electronic search systems now provide the USPTO the
ability to migrate away from reliance on paper-based resources in its
public search facilities and focus its limited resources on increased
support of the electronic resources. The use of electronic systems has
increased by public searchers to such a degree that the number of
workstations in the public search facilities have increased from 33 in
1999 to 122 in 2002 to meet significantly higher demand. In fiscal year
2001, online system hours used by the public in USPTO's public search
facilities totaled 90,990 hours, an increase of 36,357 hours over the
previous fiscal year.
Therefore, consistent with the AIPA, this is the USPTO's proposed plan
for an electronic public search facility. To accomplish a transition to
electronic resources, the USPTO proposes to remove the two paper
collections of search files currently available in the USPTO on-campus
public search facilities. One collection consists of U.S. patent copies
arranged by technology in accordance with the U.S. Patent
Classification System. The other collection consists of U.S. trademark
registration copies arranged by components specific to the
registration.
II. Background
The Public Search Facilities of the USPTO serve as the
on-campus facilities for the public to access United States patent and
trademark information collections, and obtain training on and
assistance with using these collections. All industrialized countries
provide similar facilities or functionality at or through their
respective national intellectual property offices. At the USPTO Public
Search Facilities, patent and trademark information is provided to the
public in a number of formats including the online examiner search
systems, paper search files in classified and numeric sets, and
multiple formats of source documents and additional data made available
for a wide variety of research purposes. The public search facilities
for patents and trademarks are physically separate.
The Patent Search Facilities consist of the Patent Search Room (PSR)
where there are multiple formats of patent data including paper files
and automated systems; the Patent Search and Image Retrieval Facility
(PSIRF), which is a center for all electronic patent search and
retrieval activities; and the Patent Assignment Search Room (PASR),
which contains microfilm of ownership deed assignment, card files and
automated search systems. The Patent Search Facilities provide public
users access to classified paper files, numeric microfilm files, CD-ROM
search collections, assignment systems, and the examiners' automated
search systems, Examiner Automated Search Tool (EAST) and Web-based
Examiner Search Tool (WEST). Numbers of public users in these
facilities have been tracked since October 1999. Highest concurrent use
in the Patent Search Facilities occurs at approximately 2 p.m. each day
with 135 users. Online statistics show a daily high of 256 unique users
in the PSR and PSIRF combined.
The Trademark Search Library (TMSL) provides public user access to
paper classified and numeric files as well as the automated search
systems used by examining attorneys: X-Search, the USPTO's
administrative database for tracking trademark applications and
registrations, the Trademark Recording and Monitoring system (TRAM),
and finally, the system that retains copies of all incoming
applications, Trademark Information Capture and Retrieval System
(TICRS). Data collections are maintained in several formats including
paper, automated, microfilm, and CD-ROM. The trademark assignment of
ownership collection is also available in the TMSL. There are
approximately 35 public users daily in the TMSL.
The USPTO Public Search Facilities serve users who are highly skilled
professional searchers conducting searches for law firms, business
entities, and individuals. There is also a steady stream of new
customers who use the facilities for a very limited time and for
purposes of a fairly narrow scope. There are approximately 300 new
users every month. Although paper files have been available throughout
the deployment of our electronic search systems, use of electronic
search systems has increased beyond our expectations. We have responded
by adding extra workstations to ensure ready availability of the
electronic search systems for all users.
The ability to conduct a complete patent or trademark search depends as
much on the capability of the searcher as it does on the availability
and completeness of the data. Expert searchers are not limited to
residing in the Washington, DC area; nor are they limited to using the
resources available in the USPTO on-campus search facilities.
Electronic patent and trademark searching is also not a new phenomenon.
Commercial online databases first appeared in the early 1970's. The
USPTO has over 16 years of experience in providing online access to the
public for its searchable databases. These 16 years have seen
tremendous change and significant improvement in the systems available
from the USPTO.
It should also be mentioned that the AIPA amended 35 U.S.C. 122 to
provide for the publication of pending patent applications, with
certain exceptions, promptly after the expiration of a period of
eighteen months from the earliest filing date for which a benefit is
sought ("eighteen-month publication"). See Changes to
Implement Eighteen-Month Publication of Patent Applications, 65 FR
57023, 57024 (Sept. 20, 2000), 1239 Off. Gaz. Pat. Office
63, 64 (Oct. 10, 2000) (final rule). The Office has been
publishing patent applications ("patent application publications")
electronically under the eighteen-month publication provisions of the
AIPA since March of 2001. The Office does not maintain paper copy
collections of these patent application publications in either the
Public Search Room or the examiners' search rooms. The Office expects
that, due to their earlier publication date, these patent application
publications will over time replace patents as the primary prior art
and technology dissemination document. See Changes to Implement
Eighteen-Month Publication of Patent Applications, 65 FR at 57042,
1239 Off. Gaz. Pat. Office at 79 (response to comment 27).
Thus, a complete prior art search must include a search of relevant
patent application publications. Therefore, for the prior art search to
be complete, any person conducting a prior art search must conduct an
electronic search of these patent application publications.
The USPTO has invested, and continues to invest, a substantial portion
of its appropriation in the maintenance of patent and trademark
electronic databases and the development and enhancement of software
search vehicles. As a result, trademark examining attorneys rely solely
on electronic records for examining and approving marks for Federal
registration. Additionally, in view of patent examiners' increasing
reliance on automated searching, the USPTO began phased elimination of
paper copies of U.S. patents from examiner search files beginning in
October 2001. It is anticipated that by the time the agency completes
its relocation and consolidation at the Carlyle campus in Alexandria,
Virginia, in 2005, a substantial portion of the patent examiner paper
search files will have been eliminated.
The USPTO's current planning approach to the dissemination of patent
and trademark information is to continue enhancing its electronic
databases that capture the content of patents and trademarks, and to
continue to support the USPTO Web site, the network of 87 Patent and
Trademark Depository Libraries, and the sale of its data products.
III. Proposed Plan for an Electronic Public Search Facility
A. Status of Replacement Electronic Search Systems
The U.S. patent image database contains the complete printed
patent of all patents granted from 1790 to date, including
bibliographic information, specifications, drawings and claims.
Extensive efforts over a number of years have been undertaken to ensure
that this database is as complete as possible. As patents issue each
week on Tuesday, this database is updated the same day with that week's
issue of patents. The U.S. patent image database is available in the
public search facilities through the WEST and EAST search systems, and
at no cost for search time. Both offer the ability to mimic the search
through paper classified files by allowing users to retrieve patents by
technology in accordance with the U.S. Patent Classification System. It
provides a quick flip rate through the documents, the same way that one
would conduct a search through a stack of paper patents. But unlike the
paper file, the patent image database remains complete at all times and
available to multiple users simultaneously.
The primary search tool used for trademark searches called X-Search,
includes a reproduction of the mark, as well as other information, from
every pending application and active registration. It also includes the
mark, and other information, from any abandoned application, or any
canceled or expired registration, unless the application was abandoned
or the registration was expired or canceled before March 1, 1983. The
database also includes the marks protected under Article 6ter
of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
This database can be searched using a variety of approaches, e.g., by
mark, by owner name, by filing date, etc. The database is updated
daily, with new information concerning pending and registered
trademarks. It surpasses the completeness and timeliness of the paper
classified trademark registrations because, among other things, the
paper document must be printed from the same system that uploads the
data to the trademark database. Then the paper copies must be marked
for filing, and then filed. This additional processing needed to
maintain the paper classified trademark registration collection makes
it a less timely collection, and therefore, less accurate to search. In
addition, pending applications that abandoned after 1983 and before
1990 have been purged from the paper files but remain available in the
electronic files. This makes the electronic search systems more
comprehensive in scope.
The electronic systems that would replace the paper collections in the
search facilities were developed specifically for use by USPTO
examiners using a well-defined and long established process that guides
and controls the development and implementation of information
technology initiatives. The USPTO, in making these systems available in
the public search facilities, recognized that there might be different
requirements for public access. The USPTO makes an effort to obtain
public user requirements from internal and external sources, although
enhancements required to achieve improved examiner productivity have
priority. Enhancements to systems are announced in the search
facilities and are often available for demonstration to the public
prior to deployment. USPTO electronic search systems are well supported
in the event of unscheduled downtime. Service goals for the public as
well as the examining corps are in place and supported by USPTO
management. Each step taken to correct an unscheduled interruption in
service is documented, shared widely internally, and tracked for
completion. Redundant formats of source documents are readily available
in the public search facilities in microfilm, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and
numerically arranged bound paper format, in the event of system
downtime. Searchers may also utilize resources on the USPTO Web site.
Like paper files, errors can occur in electronic search systems.
However, mechanisms are in place for tracking, reporting and fixing
errors that are made as a result of internal processes. The paper
classified files are incomplete by nature of the format. There may be
missing or misfiled documents, potentially impacting search results
which rely only on the paper classified files.
The USPTO follows the regulations and requirements of Federal agency
records management, and the agency provides for effective controls over
the maintenance of its records, in all media, paper and electronic, in
accordance with 44 U.S.C. 3102. The agency has established effective
controls for electronic information. Controls are in place throughout
the life cycle of any information system that contains and provides
access to computerized Federal records and nonrecord information. The
USPTO is committed to ensuring the integrity of data when changes in
media and format occur.
B. Paper Records Identified for Removal
The USPTO proposes to remove the following paper collections of
patents and trademark registrations, located on USPTO premises in
Arlington, Virginia, at the earliest time permitted by law. The
descriptions and associated dispositions of these two collections are
cited from the Comprehensive Records Schedule maintained by the agency
as a records management requirement of National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA).
1. Patent Classified Search Files (Patent Search Room, Crystal Plaza
3/4, Lobby Level-Room 1A01, 2021 South Clark Place)
Copies of printed domestic patents. Domestic patents are arranged
first by group and then by subgroup. These copies are used to
facilitate public patent searches by class and subclass.
Disposition
Nonrecord: Destroy when no longer needed for public reference.
2. Registered Trademarks (Trademark Search Library, South Tower
Building, Room 2B30, 2900 Crystal Drive) Trademarks registered by the
USPTO for national and international business, government, membership,
and service organizations. Records consist of individual sheets by
registration number cross-filed in the appropriate design categories
and in the following groups: words, international registrations, art of
manufacturing, and color marks. Includes foreign marks submitted under
the Paris Convention by the WIPO and government agencies which entered
their logos and weapons names into the search files under Executive
Order 11628, FR vol.36, No. 203, Oct. 20, 1971. Covers records from
1870 to the present for paper copies. Used as the public reference
copy.
Disposition
Nonrecord: Destroy when no longer needed for public reference.
The USPTO has determined that these collections are no longer needed
for public reference because of the availability of mature and reliable
replacement in-house electronic search systems in its public search
facilities already described.
C. Public Comment
The USPTO undertook, as required by AIPA, a period of public
comment on issues related to the removal of paper. See Notice of
Request for Comments on Development of a Plan to Remove the Patent and
Trademark Classified Paper Files From the Public Search Facilities,
66 FR 45012 (Aug. 27, 2001), 1250 Off. Gaz. Pat. Office
137 (Sept. 25, 2001). The original deadline for comment was
September 29, 2001. The notice was subsequently reopened for comment on
October 4, 2001, with a second deadline of October 29, 2001. A total of
49 responses were received. Both the original notice and all responses
are available for viewing on the USPTO Web site at www.uspto.gov.
The USPTO received a number of comments that did not pertain to the
paper removal plan. They included comments regarding patent text
searching, foreign patent documents, non-patent literature, and
questions that appear to be requests for information under the Freedom
of Information Act, and are therefore not germane to the issue.
The notice particularly solicited input on the following items:
a. Measures required to ensure the integrity of electronic records.
b. Comparable functionality for searching and retrieving information
from electronic records.
c. Reclassification of the patent electronic file.
d. Paper disposition.
D. Timetable for Removal of Paper Collections
The USPTO proposes to begin the removal of paper classified
U.S. trademark registrations and U.S. patents at the earliest time
permitted by law. It is anticipated that one collection would be
completely removed before the removal of the other collection begins
although no determination has yet been made about which of the two
identified collections would be removed first. All paper identified for
removal would be removed by the time the new electronic search facility
opens in the USPTO's consolidated facility on the Carlyle site in
Alexandria, Virginia, which is currently under construction. The space
for the electronic search facility is expected to be available in the
fall of 2004. The removal of paper would be handled in such a manner as
to cause as little inconvenience and disruption to public users as
possible.
E. Interim Steps
The USPTO, working with guidance from NARA, proposes to seek a
governmental entity or non-profit organization to accept the two paper
collections and assume the responsibility for their update and
maintenance. Failing interest, the USPTO would seek opportunities for
sale of the collections.
At the time the USPTO begins seeking a governmental entity or
non-profit organization to accept the two paper collections, the USPTO
will stop adding any more weekly patent issues or trademark
registrations to the collections. In addition, the USPTO would also
begin moving certain paper collections from the public search facility
for storage pending their transfer, sale, or destruction.
The USPTO would continue to add workstations for the public to search
databases as demand increases.
The USPTO would continue to offer public training in all of its
electronic search systems for varying levels of expertise.
The USPTO would continue to offer specialized reference services
tailored to the particular needs of novice users in patent and
trademark searching.
The USPTO would continue its efforts to comply with ergonomic design
standards for computer workstations.
The USPTO would continue to advise the public in the search facilities
about progress regarding paper removal through a series of posted
public notices, similar to public notices that have been posted in the
past regarding equipment, systems and other issues impacting the public.
The USPTO would continue to refine its planned electronic public search
facility for the new space in Alexandria to reflect ongoing
developments in public use of the current facilities such as reducing
wait times for system access and designing sufficient work and table
spaces to maximize terminal use.
F. Final Status
At the completion of the removal of the two identified paper
collections, the USPTO would consolidate its patent and trademark
public search facilities into one consolidated electronic public search
facility with the full complement of well-supported electronic search
systems, trained staff, and ergonomic workstations.
Fees to access USPTO electronic search systems were temporarily
suspended in the USPTO public search facilities beginning October 1,
1999. These fees would be permanently waived at the time of the
disposal of the classified paper files so that access to all USPTO
electronic search systems in the public search facilities would be
free.
Charges for printing hard copies would remain in place.
Numeric sets of U.S. patents and U.S. trademark registrations would
continue to be maintained in combinations of various formats including
paper, microfilm, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM.
IV. Conclusion
The USPTO is mandated to operate in a cost-effective manner, and
to continue moving toward an online environment for service delivery to
its customers. The USPTO has devoted significant resources to the
successful development of electronic search systems. These systems are
now widely used throughout the USPTO public search facilities. They
provide equivalent functionality to the paper files and superior
storage, maintenance and efficiency features. The USPTO proposes to
eliminate the classified paper patents and trademark registrations from
the Trademark Search Library located in the South Tower Building, 2900
Crystal Drive, and the Patent Search Room located in the Crystal Plaza
3/4, 2021 South Clark Place. Elimination of these paper files is
consistent with the USPTO's goals, strategic information technology
plans, and the agency's operational practices.
V. Issues for Public Comment
A. To Present Written Comments
The USPTO wants to obtain comments and suggestions on the
proposed plan for an electronic public search facility. Interested
members of the public are invited to present oral or written comments
on any issues they believe relevant to the proposed plan. The USPTO
reserves the right to limit the number of public comments presented if
necessary due to time constraints at the hearing, but will accept and
consider all written comments submitted. In your response, please
include the following:
name and affiliation of the individual responding;
clear identification of the matter being addressed;
an indication of whether comments offered represent views of the
respondent's organization or are the respondent's personal views; and
if applicable, information on the respondent's organization, including
the type of organization (e.g., business, trade group, university,
non-profit organization).
B. To Request an Opportunity To Speak at the Hearing
Persons interested in speaking should send their request by
electronic mail message over the Internet to: paper-removal@uspto.gov.
Requests to speak should include:
name and affiliation of the individual requesting the opportunity to
speak;
the organization represented by the respondent;
contact information (address, telephone, e-mail);
information on the specific focus or interest of the respondent or the
respondent's organization.
Speakers should provide a written copy of their remarks for inclusion
in the record.
VI. Interest in Acquiring the Paper Patent and Trademark
Collections To Be Removed From the USPTO's Public Search Facilities
Any donation of the paper patent or trademark registration
collections must comply with the NARA regulations for the donation of
temporary records which are set out in 36 CFR 1228.60. For example, the
donee must be a governmental entity or non-profit organization and must
agree not to sell the patent or trademark registration collections
except as wastepaper, the donation must be made without cost to the
United States Government, and NARA must provide written approval of the
donation. Thus, even if there is interest by a governmental entity or
non-profit organization in acquiring the patent or trademark
registration collections removed from the USPTO's public search
facilities, the USPTO may still dispose of these collections as
wastepaper if the USPTO cannot donate them to the governmental entity
or non-profit organization in a cost-effective manner or if the USPTO
cannot obtain written approval for the donation by NARA in a timely
manner. Finally, as the USPTO will not be conducting a file integrity
review of the patent or trademark registration collections as they are
being removed from the public search facilities, the USPTO cannot
assure that the patent or trademark registration collections being
removed the public search facilities are complete.
April 3, 2002 JAMES E. ROGAN
Under Secretary of Commerce for
Intellectual Property and
Director of the United States
Patent and Trademark Office
Appendix; Selected USPTO Electronic Databases and Search Tools Made
Publicly Available
In the Public Search Facilities:
Public EAST & WEST Systems: the full text of over 2.5 million
U.S. patents issued since January 1971; the full images of over 6.5
million U.S. patents issued since 1790 and over 14.5 foreign patents;
English translations of 5.1 million Japanese patent abstracts; and
English translations of 3.1 million European patent abstracts.
X-Search System: text and image of over 2.7 million trademark
applications and registrations (including active, canceled, expired,
and abandoned).
Cassis2: A suite of optical disc products providing access to patent
and trademark search tools, patent classification data, and selected
bibliographic data.
USAPat: Facsimile Images of United States Patents on DVD-ROM and CD-ROM
USAMark: Facsimile Images of United States Trademark Registrations on
CD-ROM
On the USPTO Web site:
Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS): searchable database
including the full text and clipped images of all registered
trademarks;
U.S. patents issued from 1790 through 1975 - searchable by patent number
and current U.S. patent classification;
U.S. patents issued from 1976 to the most recent issue week - searchable
by full-text fields that now include current U.S. classification data;
Published applications; and
Patent and trademark manuals and search tools.