THE PATENT RESEARCH CENTER contains millions of patents worldwide.
Information is gathered from the following sources: U.S. Patents (full-text; from January 1974; partial coverage of selected technologies from 1971 through 1973). Claims/U.S. Patent Abstracts (from January 1950) covers most patent issues in the U.S. including general, chemical (since 1950), electrical and mechanical (since 1963) and design (since 1980). Derwent World Patents Index contains summaries of patents from over 33 patent issuing authorities worldwide. Records since 1981 include full patent abstract. Updated weekly.
JAPIO is produced by the Japan Patent Information Organization and provides English-language abstracts of unexamined Japanese patent applications for all technologies. Data beginning in 1976 is updated monthly. There are additional charges for using the individual databases that are part of the Patent Research Center.
TRADEMARK SCAN includes two databases. TRADEMARKSCAN - U.S. FEDERAL contains over 1 million records representing all active trademark registrations and pending applications filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office as well as inactive registrations and applications from 1984 forward. The database is updated twice weekly. TRADEMARKSCAN - U.S. STATE contains trademark registration information obtained from the Secretary of States' offices in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Tradenames, assumed names, and fictitious names are generally not included, but may be identified for some states. Corporate name records are not included. There are additional charges for using the individual databases that are part of Trademark Scan.
The WORKING FROM HOME and ENTREPRENEUR'S FORUMS present wide-ranging information and discussion on the legal implications of different kinds of businesses, how to deal with tax issues, products liability issues for manufacturers, etc. Information on when to hire an attorney, how to incorporate, tax deductions, insurance, workers' compensation, and licensing is included.
