[Federal Register: June 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 108)]
[Notices]
[Page 30167-30176]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jn01-52]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
[Docket No. 010321076-1076-01]
RIN 0651-AB26
Notification of Required and Optional Search Criteria for
Computer Implemented Business Method Patent Applications in Class 705,
and Request for Comments
AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is
providing notification to the public of required and optional search
criteria used during
[[Page 30168]]
examination of patent applications related to computer-implemented
Business Methods in Class 705. The Office is seeking comments
concerning databases, documenting practices, procedures, and
developments, in addition to those listed in this notice, in specific
industries within the computer-implemented business method field, to
identify additional information and materials that could be considered
during the examination process.
DATES: The recommended database will be reviewed quarterly. Database
recommendations received before June 30, 2001, will be included in the
first evaluation process which will commence on July 31, 2001. Results
of the evaluation of the first group of database recommendations should
be completed by September 30, 2001. The schedule through June of 2002
is set forth in the Supplementary Information section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail Hayes by telephone at (703) 305-
9711 or by fax at (703) 305-0040, or James Trammell by telephone at
(703) 305-9768 or by fax at (703) 308-1396.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent by electronic mail message over the
internet addressed to Robert.Clarke@USPTO.gov. Comments may also be
submitted by mail addressed to: Box Comments--Patents, Commissioner for
Patents, Washington, D.C. 20231, or by facsimile to (703) 872-9399 or
(703) 308-6916, marked to the attention of Robert A. Clarke. Although
comments may be submitted by mail or facsimile, the Office prefers to
receive comments via the Internet. If comments are submitted by mail,
the Office would prefer that comments be submitted on a DOS formatted
3\1/2\ inch disk accompanied by a paper copy.
The comments will be available for public inspection at the Office
of Patent Legal Administration, Office of the Deputy Commissioner for
Patent Examination Policy, located at Room 3-C23 of Crystal Plaza 4,
2201 South Clark Place, Arlington, Virginia, and will be available
through anonymous file transfer protocol (ftp) via the Internet
(address: http://www.uspto.gov). Since comments will be made available
for public inspection, information that is not desired to be made
public, such as an address or phone number, should not be included in
the comments.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
On March 29, 2000, the Director of the USPTO announced the USPTO
Business Methods Patent Initiative: An Action Plan. One step in that
action plan called for:
Industry Outreach
Industry Feedback: A greater effort will be made to obtain
industry feedback on prior art resources used by the USPTO, solicit
input on other databases and information collections and sources,
and expand prior art collections.
2. Purpose
This announcement is a request for input on the USPTO search
resources that are employed in the examination of business method
patent applications in Class 705. By this process the USPTO hopes to
achieve two significant results. First to inform the public of the
prior art resources that are currently available to the Office. Second
to identify additional information and materials that could be
considered during the examination process.
The announcement is presented in two major sections; the listing of
the current USPTO prior art resources and the process for providing
comments on that listing. The listing of the current USPTO prior art
resources includes a detailed description of the mandatory search that
is now required for all patent applications examined in Class 705. In
the important area of non-patent literature (NPL), the listing also
sets forth a further identification of other prior art resources that
are available to the patent examiners and may, in accordance with their
professional judgment, be searched during the examination process. The
section relating to the process for submitting comments to the USPTO
details the primary type of information the Office is seeking, how the
input may be submitted, and a general description of the process the
Office will employ in considering the comments received. The USPTO will
fully consider all comments and suggestions submitted in accordance
with the guidelines set forth below.
Table of Contents
I. Current USPTO Prior Art Resources
A. U.S. Patents
1. Classified (Mandatory Search)
2. Text (Mandatory Search)
B. Foreign Patents (Mandatory Search)
C. Non-Patent Literature (NPL)
1. Core Databases (Mandatory Search)
2. Supplemental Resources
a. Commercial Database Services
b. Books, Technical Reports, and Conference Proceedings
c. Journals
d. Web-based Resources and Internet Usage Policy
e. Interlibrary Loan
II. Process for Providing Comments
A. Resource Recommendations
B. Criteria for Evaluation--Searchable Databases
C. Schedule to Evaluate Recommended Resources
I. Current USPTO Prior Art Resources for Examination of Business
Method Patent Applications in Class 705
Examiners are required to search three main types of prior art when
examining every class 705 application: U.S. patents, foreign patents,
and NPL.
A. U.S. Patents
1. Classified (Mandatory Search)
The USPTO uses a classification schedule to sort and store all
patents issued. The classification schedule is structured into class
and subclass sections. For example, a patent on a computerized method
of determining insurance claims is classified in class 705 ``Data
Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price
Determination'', and located in subclass 4, ``Insurance.'' Thus, the
exact classification of this patent is 705/4.
A search of an application with claims directed to the business art
includes a classified search in at least the subclass which the claimed
subject matter of the application would be properly classified. This is
referred to as an original classification (OR). A search of an
application with multiple independent claims, some of which if
presented separately would have been classified as an original
classification in other areas, will be searched in each of the relevant
classes and subclasses.
Examiners are not required to search areas in which it is
reasonably determined that there is a low probability of finding the
best reference(s). In outlining a field of search, the examiner notes
every class and subclass under the U.S. Patent Classification that may
have material pertinent to the subject matter as claimed. Every
subclass, digest, and cross-reference art collection pertinent to each
type of invention claimed is included, from the largest combination
through the various subcombinations. The field of search extends to all
probable areas relevant to the claimed subject matter and covers the
disclosed features which might reasonably be expected to be claimed.
The examiner consults with other examiners and/or supervisory patent
examiners, especially with regard to applications covering subject
matter unfamiliar to the examiner. The areas to be searched are
prioritized so that the areas where relevant prior art is most likely
to be found are searched first. (For more information, see the MPEP,
http://
[[Page 30169]]
www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/index.html)
Class 705 Schedule. The schedule for Class 705 is posted on the
home page for the USPTO at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ido/
oeip/taf/moc/705.htm.
2. Text (Mandatory Search)
Examiners are also required to perform a text search of U.S.
patents. Examiners use Boolean and proximity operators to search
keywords and multiple concept terms to retrieve U.S. patents relevant
to the application. Concept terms are derived from many aspects of the
invention including, but not limited to: Background of the invention;
Objects of the invention; Technological and field of use environment;
Prior effort/work; Problem to be solved; Major advantages/outcomes; How
the problem is solved; How components relate; Functionality; and
Environment--Field of Use.
B. Foreign Patents (Mandatory Search)
Examiners are also required to perform a text search in the Foreign
Patent Databases indicated below. Concept and keywords terms are
searched using Boolean and proximity operators with search strategies
tailored to these databases. The name of each database listed below is
followed by the name of the database producer.
Derwent World Patents Index [Derwent Information]
European Patents Fulltext [European Patent Office]
JAPIO--Patent Abstracts of Japan [Japan Patent Information
Organization]
WIPO/PCT Patents Fulltext [MicroPatent LLC]
C. Non-Patent Literature (NPL)
The examination procedure for patent applications includes text
searching of commercially available databases to identify relevant NPL.
Examples of NPL include journal articles, newspaper articles, books,
software manuals, conference proceedings, and standards.
Commercial database providers with extensive content coverage,
powerful search interfaces, and the capability to simultaneously search
multiple files provide the primary resources to effectively search
large quantities of NPL. Examples of the search services used in the
USPTO include DataStar, Dialog, Lexis/Nexis, Questel/Orbit, STN, and
Westlaw. These services provide access to hundreds of databases from
commercial producers. Through a single set of search operations,
applied simultaneously to multiple database files of NPL selected
according to the core and subclass specific criteria specified below,
through a single commercial database provider, an examiner can retrieve
search results simultaneously from across multiple NPL sources using a
single search strategy commonly applicable to all accessed files. The
USPTO also subscribes to other resources and databases to provide
examiners with additional sources for supplemental searches. These
resources are noted in the section of this notice regarding
Supplemental Resources.
1. Mandatory
USPTO staff have in-depth expertise on commercial database services
and their products. Based on this knowledge, databases with business-
related literature were reviewed. Representative databases were chosen
as mandatory resources to be searched for business cases. Several
factors were considered during the review of these databases including
coverage of business-related topics, date coverage (including older
materials), and inclusion in commercial database services which allow
for simultaneous searching of numerous databases. The databases
selected are considered the ``core'' or ``mandatory'' NPL databases
that must be searched for business method patent applications. This
list is not intended to be exhaustive or comprehensive. However, by
searching these databases, the examiner has searched a wide range of
resources that can provide significant and relevant prior art for
business method cases. Examiners are not restricted to searching the
databases in this list. If, in the examiner's professional judgment,
other prior art resources should be searched, they have hundreds of
additional databases available (e.g. commercial database vendors
mentioned above) to search.
The first section of the core database list, designated as ``Non-
Patent Literature Core Databases,'' includes databases that are
searched for every case classified in Class 705. Databases that may
provide significant resources of NPL relevant to specific subclasses
are designated as ``Subject Specific Databases.''
For example, an application on a computerized method of determining
insurance claims is classified in class 705 and subclass 4. All the
core NPL databases in addition to the subject specific databases listed
under subclass 4 are searched for NPL.
Business examiners are required to perform a text search in the NPL
databases listed below. Concept and keywords terms are searched using
Boolean and proximity operators with search strategies tailored to
these databases.
The name of each database (except for newspapers) is followed by
the name of the database producer.
CLASS 705 CORE DATABASES
NPL Core Databases. All Class 705 applications will be searched in the
following databases:
ABI/INFORM [Bell & Howell Information and Learning]
Business & IndustryTM [Responsive Database Services, Inc.]
Business Week [The McGraw-Hill Companies Publications Online]
Business Wire [Business Wire]
Computer DatabaseTM [The Gale Group]
Conference Papers Index [Cambridge Scientific Abstracts]
Dissertation Abstracts Online [Bell & Howell Information and Learning]
GlobalbaseTM [The Gale Group]
Inside Conferences [The British Library]
INSPEC [INSPEC, Inc.]
Internet & Personal Computing Abstracts [Information Today,
Inc.]
The McGraw-Hill Companies Publications Online [The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc.]
Microcomputer Software Guide Online [R. R. Bowker Company]
New Product Announcements/Plus (NPA/Plus) [The Gale Group]
Newsletter DatabaseTM [The Gale Group]
Newspapers
Financial Times Abstracts
New York Times Abstracts
San Jose Mercury News
Wall Street Journal Abstracts
PR Newswire [PR Newswire Association, Inc.]
PROMT [The Gale Group]
Softbase: Reviews, Companies, and Products [Information Sources, Inc.]
Trade & Industry DatabaseTM [The Gale Group]
Wilson Applied Science and Technology Abstracts [The H.W. Wilson
Company]
World Reporter [The Dialog Corporation, Dow Jones & Company and
Financial Times Information]
Subject Specific Databases. There are other databases which contain
significant NPL resources relevant to specific Class 705 subclasses.
Therefore, additional core databases are listed for the subclasses
indicated in this section. Examiners are required to search these
databases during the examination of cases classified under these
subclasses. In this list, the subclass numbers are listed to the left
of the subclass description.
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2. Health Care Management
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
American Medical Association Journals [The American Medical
Association]
BIOSIS Previews [BIOSIS]
EMBASE [Elsevier Science, B.V.]
Health & Wellness Database\SM\ [The Gale Group]
Health News Daily [F-D-C Reports, Inc.]
HealthSTAR [U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM)]
MEDLINE [U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM)]
New England Journal of Medicine [Massachusetts Medical Society]
SciSearch [Institute for Scientific Information''
(ISI)]
If drugs/pharmaceuticals are involved. * * *
Drug News & Perspectives [Prous Science Publishers]
International Pharmaceutical Abstracts [American Society of Health-
System Pharmacists]
Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry News Database [PJB Publications
Ltd.]
Pharmaceutical News Index (PNI) [Bell & Howell Information
and Learning]
4 Insurance
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
American Banker Financial Publications [American Banker-Bond Buyer]
Insurance Periodicals Index [NILS Publishing Company]
The Journal of Commerce [The Journal of Commerce, Inc.]
7 Operations Research
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
Inventory Monitoring Databases
13 Transportation Facility Access
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
Aerospace/Defense Markets & Technology [The Gale Group]
Aerospace Database [AEROPLUS ACCESS]
The Journal of Commerce [The Journal of Commerce, Inc.]
NTIS--National Technical Information Service [National Technical
Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce]
Transportation Research Information Services [Transportation Research
Board]
14 Advertising/Coupon Redemption/Incentives
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
Business Dateline [Bell & Howell Information and Learning]
Marketing & Advertising Reference Service [The Gale Group]
Newspapers:
The Atlanta Journal/The Atlanta Constitution
The Arizona Republic/The Phoenix Gazette (Phoenix)
The Sun (Baltimore)
The Boston Globe
Chicago Tribune
The Christian Science Monitor
Detroit Free Press
The Denver Post
Houston Chronicle
Independent (London)
The Irish Times
Los Angeles Times
The Miami Herald
Newsday and New York Newsday
The Oregonian (Portland)
The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Rocky Mountain News (Denver)
San Francisco Chronicle
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Petersburg Times
Times/Sunday Times (London)
USA Today
Washington Post Online
26 Electronic Shopping
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
Advertising/Coupon Redemption/Incentives Databases
Magazine DatabaseTM [The Gale Group]
28 Inventory Monitoring
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
EI Compendex [Engineering Information, Inc.]
ISMEC: Mechanical Engineering Abstracts [Cambridge Scientific
Abstracts]
JICST-EPlus--Japanese Science & Technology [Japan Information Center
for Science and Technology (JICST)]
NTIS: National Technical Information Service [National Technical
Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce]
SciSearch [Institute for Scientific Information
(ISI)]
Social SciSearch [Institute for Scientific Information
(ISI)]
35 Banking/Finance/Investments
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
American Banker Financial Publications [American Banker-Bond Buyer]
Banking Information Source [Bell & Howell Information and Learning]
Bond Buyer Full Text [American Banker-Bond Buyer]
DIALOG Finance and Banking Newsletters [The Dialog Corporation]
EconLit [American Economic Association]
36 Portfolio Selection
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
Banking/Finance/Investment Databases
37 Trading, Matching or Bidding
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
Banking/Finance/Investment Databases
38 Credit Processing or Loan Processing
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
Banking/Finance/Investment Databases
39 Including Funds Transfer or Credit Transaction
In addition to Core databases, examiners will search the following
databases:
Banking/Finance/Investment Databases
Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News\TM\ [Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business
News]
Brief descriptions are provided for the above-listed NPL and
Foreign Patent databases in Appendix I attached to this document.
3. Supplemental Resources
The USPTO has access to a multitude of resources and databases
containing NPL. Many of these resources include significant amounts of
business-related information. The following resources are available to
patent examiners and may, in accordance with their professional
judgment, be searched during the examination process.
a. Commercial Database Services. The USPTO provides access to
commercial database vendors who provide over 1,000 searchable
databases. In addition to the databases included in the core list
mentioned earlier, examiners can choose to search other databases
[[Page 30171]]
provided by these vendors when, in their professional judgment,
searching additional databases is warranted.
DataStar--complete list of databases located at
http://ds.datastarweb.com/ds/products/datastar/ds.htm
Dialog--complete list of databases located at
http://library.dialog.com/bluesheets/html/blf.html
Lexis-Nexis--complete list of databases located at
http://www.lexis-nexis.com/lncc/literature/Directory/default.htm
(At the bottom of this web page, click on the link to view the
alphabetical list of their entire directory.)
Questel-Orbit--complete list of databases located at
http://www.questel.orbit.com/en/userdoc/docindex.htm
(Click on ``fact sheets'')
STN International--complete list of databases located at
http://www.cas.org/ONLINE/DBSS/dbsslist.html
Westlaw--the database directory is located at
http://directory.westlaw.com/
WIPO Journal of Patent Associated Literature (JOPAL)--the database
directory is located at
http://jopal.wipo.int/
b. Books, Technical Reports, and Conference Proceedings. The USPTO
maintains print collections of over 160,000 books, technical reports,
journals, and conference proceedings that are not available
electronically. Additionally, many materials are available in
microformat.
c. Journals. The USPTO has access to over 5,000 full text journals.
Many of these journals are available in electronic format. Please see
the following section on ``Web-based Resources,'' which includes
sources providing access to full text electronic journals. The USPTO
also maintains full text CD-ROM products. Examples include Computer
Select (1989 to date), Advances in Cryptography (1981-1997), and Dr.
Dobb's Journals (1988-June 1997; newer Dr. Dobb's Journal issues are
available via web-based resources). The remainder of the journal
collection is in hard copy or microform formats.
d. Web-based Resources. Examiners have direct access to the web-
based resources including technical books and reports, legal
publications, indexes, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and databases of
NPL, such as journal articles and conference proceedings. The primary
strength of many of these electronic resources is that they provide
quick access to full text publications, some of them with graphics.
Some of these resources also allow for Boolean and proximity searching
and can be searched by examiners to determine if additional relevant
prior art is available.
The following web-based resources are available. Brief descriptions
are provided for those most relevant to examiners in business methods
areas.
Academic Press Dictionary of Science & Technology
Agricola
American Chemical Society
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)--provides access to 95% of
all ACM articles and proceedings from 1991 to the present.
ChemConnect
Corporate Resource Net B provides access to over 4,000 journals in
electronic format.
Department of Energy Information Bridge
DTIC STINET
Encyclopedia Britannica
Faulkner--provides comprehensive coverage of the full spectrum of
computer systems, software, networking, and telecom technologies,
including trends, vendor strategies, and product solutions. Includes
B2B E-Commerce Trends reports.
Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE Xplore)--
provides access to more than 500,000 IEEE/IEE articles written since
1988. All IEEE/IEE conferences, journals and standards from 1988 on are
included.
ITKnowledge--provides full text access to more than 1,000 technical
computing books.
Matthew Bender Legal and Intellectual Property Publications
Medline
Patent, Trademark & Copyright Journal
Physicians Desk Reference, PDR Herbal & Stedmans Medical Dictionary
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Proquest Direct--Proquest is organized into separate, subject-based
libraries. USPTO subscribes to most of these including the Banking
Library (containing 248 journal titles); the Computing library
(containing 256 journal titles); the Telecommunications library
(containing 92 journal titles). In all, USPTO has access to the full
text and/or bibliographic records for over 5,000 journal titles through
Proquest.
Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature
ScienceServer--provides access to nearly 200 scientific, technical and
medical journals published by Elsevier and Academic Press.
Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical and Electronics Engineering--covers
core knowledge of all specialties encompassed by electrical and
electronics engineering, including computer and software engineering.
Internet Usage Policy With Above Resources--When the Internet is used
to search, browse, or retrieve information relating to a patent
application, other than a reissue application or reexamination
proceeding, USPTO examiners and searchers restrict search queries to
the general state of the art unless the Office has established a secure
link on the Internet with a specific vendor to maintain the
confidentiality of the patent application. Non-secure Internet search,
browse, or retrieval activities that could disclose proprietary
information directed to a specific application, other than a reissue
application or reexamination proceeding, are not permitted.
e. Interlibrary Loan. The USPTO maintains an interlibrary loan
operation to gain access to full text documents that are not available
electronically or on-site in hard copy or microform format. The
interlibrary loan staff have access to local, national and
international organizations and provide rapid retrieval of full text
documents to examiners.
II. Process for Providing Comments
A. Resource Recommendations
The USPTO requests comments regarding the search resources employed
in the examination of business method patent applications in Class 705.
In order to identify additional information and materials that could be
considered during the examination process, members of the public are
invited to recommend databases and electronic resources that the USPTO
does not currently access for searching business methods prior art.
Recommended databases must be publicly available. These databases
will be evaluated based on the set of criteria published in this
document. The information you provide will help us verify that the
correct resource has been identified for evaluation. Please provide
detailed information in support of suggested resource(s). Such
information should address the following topics:
Reason for Recommendation
Please specify why you are recommending the database, focusing on
the specific value of the content and search features of the particular
database. For example, the database provides full text documents, or it
[[Page 30172]]
contains business methods information not found in other databases.
Database Identification
(a) Provide the full name of the database and other names by which
the database may be identified, e.g. acronyms or shortened names.
(b) Provide the name, address, and phone number for the database
producer.
(c) Provide the name, address, and phone number for the entity that
provides access to the database.
Database Content
(a) What are the years of coverage?
(b) What is the subject matter?
(c) Does the bibliographic information include documented
publication dates?
(d) Does the database include abstracts and/or full text?
Accessibility
(a) Is the database publicly available?
(b) If so, what are the operational hours?
Technical Support
What is the availability of technical support?
Continuity
What is the database policy on maintaining backfile data?
Mode of Access
How is the database available?
(a) Online.
(b) Web-based.
(c) In-house CD-ROM or other electronic media.
(1) networked.
(2) stand-alone system.
B. Criteria for Evaluation--Searchable Databases
Recommended databases should provide substantial added value over
resources already available. Databases will be evaluated in terms of
whether or not they are of sufficient value to be included as mandatory
search tools or whether they should be included as supplemental
resources for examiners to search, at their discretion, during the
patent application examination process.
Content
The intellectual content of the database will be evaluated on:
(a) Extent of the retrospective coverage of business-related prior
art.
(b) Extent of unique, difficult-to-find sources and content not
available in currently used tools.
(c) Extent of bibliographic documentation in addition to the
availability of searchable abstracts and/or full text.
(d) The documentation of publication dates for the information
included in the database.
(e) Thoroughness of indexing.
(f) Frequency of updates.
Search Interface
Databases should have a search interface that is powerful, user-
friendly, and has multiple access points. For example: Does the
database provide for single-search access to the entire resource
content? Does it support Boolean and proximity searching? Does it allow
for truncation and nesting of terms or synonyms?
Cost
The cost of the resource will be evaluated in relation to the value
of the product and the cost of other comparable products.
Accessibility and Reliability
Database providers or producers should deliver reliable access 24
hours a day, seven days a week. The database must be publicly
available.
Technical Support
Technical support must be knowledgeable and reliable, and must be
available, at a minimum, Monday through Friday.
Continuity
Database content must be stable and consistent. In particular,
continuing availability of backfile data is critical.
Mode of Access
The database should be accessible via TCP/IP (online), the
Internet, or an in-house platform (networked or stand-alone). The mode
of access must meet the requirements of the USPTO's Office of the Chief
Information Officer's Technical Reference Model (TRM). The TRM is
available at the following url:
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/comp/proc/acquisitions/oamref.htm
C. Schedule to Evaluate Recommended Resources
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommendations received by: Will be evaluated by:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, 2001............................. September 30, 2001.
September 30, 2001........................ December 31, 2001.
December 31, 2001......................... March 31, 2002.
March 31, 2002............................ June 30, 2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification Section
It has been determined that this notice is not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866 (September 30, 1993).
Paperwork Reduction Act
This notice involves information collection requirements which are
subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). As
required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)),
the Office has submitted an information collection package to OMB for
its review and approval. The title, description, and respondent
description for this information collection is shown below with an
estimate of the annual reporting burdens. Included in the estimate is
the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data needed and completing and reviewing
the collection of information.
OMB Number: 0651-0047.
Title: United States Patent and Trademark Office Business Method
Database Information.
Form Number: Not applicable.
Type of Review: Approved through March of 2004.
Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit, not-for-profit institutions, farms, state, local or tribal
governments, and the Federal Government.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
Estimated Time Per Response: 1.5 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 150 hours.
Needs and Uses: Input from industry and the public on the current
search areas and suggestions from industry and the public on new
sources of prior art is considered important to improve the examination
process in the computer-implemented business method field. The public
feedback will be used to evaluate suggested databases for inclusion in
either mandatory or optional search areas in this field.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of information
is necessary for proper performance of the functions of the agency; (2)
the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden; (3) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information to respondents.
Interested persons are requested to send comments regarding these
information collections, including suggestions for reducing this
burden, to Robert J. Spar, Director, Office of Patent Legal
Administration, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Washington,
D.C. 20231, or to the Office
[[Page 30173]]
of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, New Executive Office
Building, 725 17th Street, N.W., Room 10235, Washington, D.C. 20503,
Attention: Desk Officer for the Patent and Trademark Office.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required
to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Authority: Sec. 4712, Pub. L. 106-113, 113 Stat. 1501A-572 (35
U.S.C. 2(b)(2)).
Dated: May 30, 2001.
Nicholas P. Godici,
Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Appendix I
Brief descriptions are provided for the above listed NPL and
Foreign Patent databases. The following descriptions are excerpts
obtained from the Dialog Corporation's Bluesheets.
ABI/INFORM--includes details on virtually every aspect
of business, including company histories, competitive intelligence,
and new product development. ABI/INFORM contains bibliographic
citations and 25-150 word summaries of articles appearing in
professional publications, academic journals, and trade magazines
published worldwide.
Aerospace/Defense Markets & Technology (Gale Group
Aerospace/Defense Markets & Technology)--provides full-
text articles and abstracts covering all aspects of the worldwide
aerospace industry. Corporations in the aerospace/defense industry
rely on A/DM&T: for coverage of key industry sources for details on
competitors, products and technologies to monitor government
funding, budgets, and contracts to identify market opportunities in
the defense and aerospace industries.
Aerospace Database--provides references, abstracts, and
controlled-vocabulary indexing of key scientific and technical
documents, as well as books, reports, and conferences, covering
aerospace research and development in over 40 countries including
Japan and eastern European nations. This database supports basic and
applied research in aeronautics, astronautics, and space sciences,
as well as technology development and applications in complementary
and supporting fields such as chemistry, geosciences, physics,
communications, and electronics.
American Banker Financial Publications--corresponds to the full
text of the authoritative daily financial services newspaper,
American Banker, as well as the full text of many financial
newsletters published by American Banker in the areas of capital
markets, bank regulation, insurance letters, and public finance
letters. This collection of publications follows trends,
developments, and news in banking and related financial areas.
American Medical Association Journals--contains the full-text
articles from 11 medical journals, including the well-known JAMA,
The Journal of the American Medical Association. The articles
include all subject areas relating to the practice of medicine. The
American Medical Association is the world's largest single publisher
of scientific and medical information. This database also contains
peer-reviewed clinical and investigative articles in major medical
disciplines. All original articles included are full-text; the
database also includes letters to the editor, editorials, book
reviews, corrections, medical news and perspectives, columns,
special features, and occasional sections.
Banking Information Source--provides essential information about
the financial services industry, banking trends, topics, issues, and
operations. Its uniquely comprehensive coverage of important
industry sources meets the banking-related information needs of
researchers in banking, finance, government, tax, insurance,
economics, financial services, and business schools. It contains the
full text of cited articles from many high demand sources
BIOSIS Previews--contains citations from Biological
Abstracts (BA), and Biological Abstracts/Reports, Reviews,
and Meetings (BA/RRM) (formerly BioResearch
Index), the major publications of BIOSIS.
Together, these publications constitute the major English-language
service providing comprehensive worldwide coverage of research in
the biological and biomedical sciences.
Bond Buyer Full Text--corresponds to the printed publication,
The Bond Buyer. The newspapers specialize in the fixed-income
investment market and are considered the authoritative sources of
information for the municipal bond community in the U.S. Essential
daily coverage of government and Treasury securities, financial
futures, corporate bonds, and mortgage securities is provided.
Extensive coverage of U.S. Congressional actions, worldwide monetary
and fiscal policies, and regulatory changes relating to the bond
industry is included. Bond Buyer Full Text also lists planned bond
issues, bond calls and redemptions, and results of bond sales.
Business & IndustryTM--this database contains
information with facts, figures, and key events dealing with public
and private companies, industries, markets products for all
manufacturing and service industries at an international level. B&I
coverage concentrates on leading trade magazines and newsletters,
the general business press, regional newspapers and international
business journals.
Business DatelineTM--provides the full text of major
news and feature stories from 550 regional business publications
from throughout the United States and Canada. The regional
perspectives reported in the business press make Business Dateline
an excellent source of in-depth business information with a local
point of view. Virtually every aspect of regional business
activities and trends is covered in the file, with particular
emphasis on economic conditions in selected cities, states, or
regions, as well as mergers, acquisitions, company executives, new
products, and competitive intelligence.
Business Week--contains the complete text of articles from the
domestic and international English-language editions of the highly
acclaimed McGraw-Hill weekly business news magazine, Business Week.
Articles focus on companies, the economy, government regulation,
industries, labor and management issues, technology, and
international markets.
Business Wire--contains the full text of news releases issued by
approximately 10,000 corporations, universities, research
institutes, hospitals, and other organizations. The file primarily
covers U.S. industries and organizations, although some information
on international events is included.
Computer DatabaseTM (Gale Group Computer
DatabaseTM)--provides comprehensive information about the
computer, electronics, and telecommunications industries. Coverage
includes detailed information about the evaluation, purchase, use,
and support of computer and other electronic products. Gale Group
Computer Database is designed to answer the questions of business
and computer professionals about hardware, software, networks,
peripherals, and services.
Conference Papers Index--provides access to records of the more
than 100,000 scientific and technical papers presented at over 1,000
major regional, national, and international meetings each year.
Conference Papers Index provides a centralized source of information
on reports of current research and development from papers presented
at conferences and meetings; it provides titles of the papers as
well as the names and addresses (when available) of the authors of
these papers. Also included in this database are announcements of
any publications issued from the meetings, in addition to available
preprints, reprints, abstract booklets, and proceedings volumes,
including dates of availability, costs and ordering information.
Primary subject areas covered include the life sciences, chemistry,
physical sciences, geosciences, and engineering.
Derwent World Patent Index (DWPI)--provides access to
information from more than 18 million patent documents, giving
details of over 9 million inventions. Each week, approximately
20,000 documents from 40 patent-issuing authorities are added to
DWPI. Patent-related items from Research Disclosure and
International Technology Disclosures (ceased publication June 1994)
are also included.
DIALOG Finance and Banking Newsletters--database is a collection
of full-text newsletters from primary publishers in the field of
investment, finance and banking. The database contains specialized
industry newsletters that provide concise information on companies,
products, markets, and technologies. It also contains rulings,
regulations, and other legislative activities that affect the
financial community.
Dissertation Abstracts Online--is a definitive subject, title,
and author guide to
[[Page 30174]]
virtually every American dissertation accepted at an accredited
institution since 1861. Selected Masters theses have been included
since 1962. In addition, since 1988, the database has included
citations for dissertations from 50 British universities that have
been collected by and filmed at The British Document Supply Centre.
Beginning with DAIC Volume 49, Number 2 (Spring 1988), citations and
abstracts from Section C, Worldwide Dissertations (formerly European
Dissertations), have been included in the file. Abstracts are
included for doctoral records from July 1980 (Dissertation Abstracts
International, Volume 41, Number 1) to the present. Abstracts are
included for masters theses from Spring 1988 (Masters Abstracts,
Volume 26, Number 1) to the present.
Drug News & Perspectives (Prous Science Drug News &
Perspectives)--this database allows users to quickly and easily
consul the latest pharmaceutical news. The Prous Science Drug News &
Perspectives database contains all articles and texts published from
selected sections of the printed journal, Prous Science Drug News &
Perspectives, plus unpublished records from the journal's sections:
``Line Extensions,'' ``R&D Briefs,'' and ``People on the Move.''
Unpublished records, omitted from the printed journal due to space
limitations, are labeled ``unpublished'' and do not have volume,
issue, or page numbers. Unpublished records may also include those
in preparation for print. These records will have volume, issue and
page numbers added in a later update to the database.
EconLit--provides indexing and abstracts of the worldwide
literature on economics, currently covers more than 600 major
economics journals annually. In addition, this file indexes about
600 collective volumes (essays, proceedings, etc.), 2,000 books, 900
dissertations, 2,000 working papers, and book reviews each year.
EI Compendex--database is the machine-readable version
of the Engineering Index (monthly/annual). It provides abstracted
information from significant engineering and technological
literature. The Compendex database provides worldwide coverage of
approximately 4,500 journals and selected government reports and
books. Subjects covered include: civil, energy, environmental,
geological, and biological engineering; electrical, electronics, and
control engineering; chemical, mining, metals, and fuel engineering;
mechanical, automotive, nuclear, and aerospace engineering; and
computers, robotics, and industrial robots.
EMBASE--comprehensive index of the world's literature
on human medicine and related disciplines.
European Patents Fulltext--covers all European patent
applications and granted European patents published since the
opening of the European Patent Office (EPO) in 1978. This database
also contains bibliographic records for PCT (Patent Cooperation
Treaty) applications transferred to the EPO.
Financial Times Abstracts--produced by the Business Information
Services of the New York Times Electronic Media Company, contains
concise, informative abstracts of articles from the U.S. Edition of
the Financial Times newspaper. The Financial Times provides in-depth
coverage on worldwide industries, companies, and markets.
GlobalbaseTM (Gale Group GlobalbaseTM)--
provides worldwide coverage of companies, products, and industries
with a primary focus on Europe.
Health & Wellness DatabaseSM (Gale Group Health &
Wellness DatabaseSM)--is a comprehensive periodical and
reference database produced by The Gale Group, providing broad
coverage in the areas of health, medicine, fitness, and nutrition.
Gale Group Health & Wellness Database is designed to address the
needs of health and medical professionals, specialized business and
industry researchers, consumers, and a wide range of people seeking
a general understanding about important health issues and practices.
Health News Daily--contains all the daily news and text articles
from the Health News Daily publication from F-D-C Reports. It
provides specialized, in-depth business, scientific, regulatory and
legal news. Each issue has features including news in the following
columns: Product News, People, Litigation, Legislative News,
Industry News, Research, Regulatory News, Financings, Reimbursement,
and Public Health. A feature entitled ``Washington This Week'' lists
scheduled congressional hearings, agency meetings, and industry
conferences in the D.C. area. The ``Calendar'' presents notices of
upcoming meetings, seminars, and conferences. The ``Legislative
Roundup'' tracks recently introduced bills, committee activities,
and congressional votes on health care issues.
HealthSTARTM--(Health Services Technology,
Administration, and Research) is provided cooperatively by the U.S.
National Library of Medicine and the American Hospital Association.
This file incorporates all records from the former Health Abstracts,
which are taken directly from the published articles, and are
included for approximately 60% of the records.
Inside Conferences--contains details of all papers given at
every congress, symposium, conference, exposition, workshop, and
meeting received at the British Library Document Supply Centre
(BLDSC) since October 1993.
INSPEC--(The Database for Physics, Electronics and Computing)
corresponds to the three Science Abstracts print publications:
Physics Abstracts, Electrical and Electronics Abstracts, and
Computer and Control Abstracts. The Science Abstracts family of
abstract journals began publication in 1898.
Insurance Periodicals Index--indexes and abstracts 35 of the
most respected and widely read insurance industry journals and
magazines, dating from January 1984 to the present.
International Pharmaceutical Abstracts--provides information on
all phases of the development and use of drugs and on professional
pharmaceutical practice. In early 1985 coverage was expanded to
include pharmacy journals that deal with state regulations,
salaries, guidelines, manpower studies and laws. The scope of the
database includes the clinical, practical, and theoretical aspects
of the literature as well as economic and scientific. A unique
feature of these abstracts is the inclusion of the study design,
number of patients, dosage, dosage forms, and dosage schedule.
Internet & Personal Computing AbstractsTM (replaced
Microcomputer Abstracts)--contains abstracts and citations
to the literature on the use of computers in business, industry,
education, libraries and the home. Over 90 traditional and cutting-
edge publications are covered, including widely read mass-market
computer publications, as well as those focusing on specific topics,
such as hardware platforms, operating systems (Windows, DOS, UNIX,
Macintosh, etc.), online systems, management, networks, and
electronic publishing. Informative abstracts summarize software and
hardware. Book reviews, feature articles, news, columns, program
listings, product announcements, and buyer/vendor guides are
included.
ISMEC: Mechanical Engineering Abstracts--(Information Service in
Mechanical Engineering) indexes significant articles in all aspects
of mechanical engineering, production engineering and engineering
management from approximately 250 journals published throughout the
world. In addition, books, reports, and conference proceedings are
indexed. The primary emphasis is on comprehensive coverage of
leading international journals and conferences on mechanical
engineering subjects. The principal areas covered are mechanical,
nuclear, electrical, electronic, civil, optical, medical, and
industrial process engineering; mechanics; production processes;
energy and power; transport and handling; and applications of
mechanical engineering.
JAPIO--Patent Abstracts of Japan--provided by the Japan Patent
Information Organization, represents the most comprehensive English-
language access to Japanese unexamined patent applications (Kokai
Tokkyo Koho) published since October 1976. All technologies are
covered. Application records include both Japanese and non-Japanese
priorities. Abstracts are provided only for applications originating
in Japan, but are available for most records. Images of front page
drawings, when available for a given patent, are also included.
JICST-EPlus--Japanese Science & Technology--this is a
comprehensive bibliographic database covering literature published
in Japan from all fields of science, technology, and medicine. The
file contains both the JICST-E and the PreJICST-E files from Japan
Science and Technology Corporation, Information Center for Science
and Technology (JICST).
The Journal of Commerce--provides the complete text of all news,
columns, editorials, briefs, calendar listings, and selected tables
that appear in the Five-Star edition of the world's premier daily
business newspaper covering international trade and transportation
issues. It also includes the Six-Star news summary and West Coast/
Trade page. Journal of Commerce features special individual sections
which focus on ocean,
[[Page 30175]]
barge, air, rail, and truck transportation, international banking
and finance, foreign trade, energy, insurance, chemicals and
plastics, electronic communications, and commodities. The online
edition also includes a summary of every major story for each day.
Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business NewsTM--provides same-
day, full-text business and related news from 28 Knight-Ridder
publications, 4 Tribune Company newspapers, and more than 50
affiliated papers. Articles from contributing newspapers and
magazines are available the morning of publication.
Magazine DatabaseTM (Gale Group Magazine
DatabaseTM)--is a general interest database that contains
indexes, abstracts, and full-text records. Gale Group Magazine
Database provides current and retrospective news from more than 400
popular magazines on subjects including consumer behavior, media
trends, popular culture, political opinion, leisure activities, and
contemporary lifestyles. Gale Group Magazine Database also contains
large collections of entertainment reviews and ratings of books,
films, theater, concerts, hotels, and restaurants. This database is
ideal for searchers who need background material and a variety of
perspectives to supplement any business search. Gale Group Magazine
Database includes indexes and abstracts for 400 publications and the
full text for more than 250 magazines.
Marketing & Advertising Reference Service (Gale Group
Marketing & Advertising Reference Service)--is a multi-
industry advertising and marketing database with abstracts and full-
text records on a wide variety of consumer products and services.
Gale Group Marketing & Advertising Reference Service is widely used
by consumer product and service companies to locate market size and
market share information, monitor new product or service
introductions, evaluate markets for existing products or services,
and research the marketing and advertising strategies of
competitors. Advertising agencies and public relations firms use
Marketing & Advertising Reference Service to research and develop
new client proposals; monitor ad campaigns, budgets, and target
markets; locate information on products and services; and gain
competitive intelligence on other agencies and public relations
firms by tracking agency changes, new accounts, launch dates,
contracts and appointments.
The McGraw-Hill Companies Publications Online--provides the
complete text for many major McGraw-Hill publications. The database
covers not only general business but also specific industries, i.e.,
aerospace, chemical processing, electronics, and construction. The
complete text of each article is searchable and can be retrieved
online in addition to being printed offline.
MEDLINE--a major source of biomedical literature.
MEDLINE corresponds to three print indexes: Index Medicus TM, Index
to Dental Literature, and International Nursing Index. Additional
materials not published in Index Medicus are included in the MEDLINE
database in the areas of communication disorders, population and
reproductive biology.
Microcomputer Software Guide Online--database contains
information on virtually every microcomputer software program and
hardware system available or produced in the United States. The
database contains bibliographic records for microcomputer software.
Each record includes ordering information, technical specifications,
subject classifications, and a brief description.
New England Journal of Medicine--contains full-text articles
from The New England Journal of Medicine excluding meeting notices,
``Books Received,'' and advertising content. Founded in 1812, The
New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) is the oldest continuously
published medical journal in the world. It maintains the largest
voluntarily paid circulation of any peer-reviewed scientific
journal, reaching physicians and other healthcare professionals in
more than 120 countries.
New York Times Abstracts--contains concise, informative
abstracts of articles in the final Late Edition of The New York
Times newspaper, a newspaper that is respected around the world for
its unparalleled coverage of international, national, business and
New York regional news. The file provides abstracts of every article
published in the newspaper, including the Magazine, Book Review, and
all other Sunday sections.
Newsletter DatabaseTM (Gale Group Newsletter
DatabaseTM)--contains the full text of specialized
industry newsletters that provide concise information on companies,
products, markets, and technologies; trade and geopolitical regions
of the world; and government funding, rulings, and regulation and
other legislative activities which impact the industries and regions
covered. International in scope, the Newsletter Database provides
searchers with important facts, figures, analysis, and current
information affecting a broad range of industries and sectors.
Information from newsletters contained in the Gale Group newsletter
Database covers the following industries and geographic regions of
the world: biotechnology, broadcasting and publishing, computers and
electronics, chemicals, defense and aerospace, energy, environment,
financial services, general technology, Japan, Middle East,
manufacturing, medical and health, materials, packaging, research
and development, telecommunications, transportation, and more.
Newspapers--includes the full text of all news stories,
features, editorials, and wire stories. Items such as classified
ads, sports, statistics, fillers, and certain minor items are
excluded. (Description taken from PAPERS in the Dialog Worldwide
Database Catalogue.)
New Product Announcements/Plus (NPA/PLUS) (Gale Group New
Product Announcements/Plus)--contains the full text of press
releases from all industries covering announcements related to
products, with a focus on new products and services. In addition to
product descriptions, press releases generally contain key details
about new products and technologies, including technical
specifications, availability, uses, licensing agreements,
distribution channels, and prices. Company contacts and phone
numbers are provided to allow follow-up by interested parties. The
press releases contained in the NPA/PLUS database are obtained
directly from the product manufacturer, distributor, or an
authorized marketing representative.
NTIS--National Technical Information Service--database consists
of summaries of U.S. government-sponsored research, development, and
engineering, plus analyses prepared by Federal agencies, their
contractors, or grantees. It is the means through which
unclassified, publicly available, unlimited distribution reports are
made available for sale from agencies such as NASA, DOD, DOE, HUD,
DOT, Department of Commerce, and some 240 other agencies.
Additionally, some state and local government agencies now
contribute summaries of their reports to the database. NTIS also
provides access to the results of government-sponsored research and
development from countries outside the U.S. Organizations that
currently contribute to the NTIS database include: the Japan
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI); laboratories
administered by the United Kingdom Department of Industry; the
German Federal Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT); the
French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS); and many
more.
Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry News Database--consists
of two files; one file is the current material, updated daily, and
contains the full text of all newsletter articles written in the
last 25 to 30 days. The other file is an archival database, and
contains the full text of indexed articles from the full range of
PJB newsletters dating back to 1980. All publications follow a
similar structure and contain sections on: Product & Research News,
Company News, U.K. & International News, People, Meetings, and
Conferences.
Pharmaceutical News Index (PNI)--online source of
current news about pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, and
related health fields. PNI cites and indexes all articles from the
publications listed in the SOURCES section below on the following
topics: drugs; corporation and industry sales, mergers and
acquisitions; and government legislation, regulations, and court
action. It covers requests for proposals; research grant
applications; industry speeches; press releases; and other news
items.
PR Newswire--contains the complete text of news releases
prepared by U.S. companies, public relations agencies, trade
associations, city, state, Federal and municipal government
agencies, and other sources covering the entire spectrum of news.
PROMT (Gale Group PROMT)--is a multiple-
industry database that provides broad, international coverage of
companies, products, markets, and applied technologies for all
industries. PROMT is comprised of abstracts and full-text records
from the world's important trade and business journals, local
newspapers, regional business publications, national and
international business newspapers, industry newsletters, research
studies, investment analysts' reports, corporate news releases, and
corporate annual reports.
[[Page 30176]]
San Jose Mercury News--provides local, national, and
international news coverage. Bureaus in Sacramento and Washington,
DC, enable the newspaper to provide full coverage of state and
Federal Government news. Particular emphasis is given to high
technology and the developments in the industries of Silicon Valley,
including coverage of the following companies: Hewlett-Packard,
Apple Computer, Consolidated Freightways, Intel, Amdahl, Sun
Microsystems, National Semiconductor, Tandem Computers, Seagate
Technology, and Syntex. Bureaus in Tokyo, Mexico City, Los Angeles,
and Seattle enable the San Jose Mercury News to focus on business
and economic developments of the Pacific Rim. Other major areas of
coverage include science, medicine, and real estate.
SciSearch--is an international, multidisciplinary
index to the literature of science, technology, biomedicine, and
related disciplines produced by the Institute for Scientific
Information'' (ISI''). SciSearch contains all of the records
published in the Science Citation Index (SCI),
plus additional records from the Current Contents
publications.
Social SciSearch--database is an international,
multidisciplinary index to the literature of the social, behavioral,
and related sciences, produced by the Institute for Scientific
Information (ISI). Social SciSearch contains all of the
records published in the Social Sciences Citation Index.
Softbase: Reviews, Companies, and Products--is a suite of three
discrete record types: review records, product records, and company
records. The three linked and inter-related record types can be used
separately or together, providing an important navigation tool for
researchers in the intelligent information technology industry.
Detailed descriptions of products in the product record file and of
companies in the company record file can be linked to each other and
to independent third-party reviews and analyses abstracted from more
than 200 business, computer, technical, trade, and consumer
publications.
Trade & Industry DatabaseTM (Gale Group Trade &
Industry DatabaseTM)--is a multi-industry database
covering international company, industry, product, and market
information, with strong coverage of such areas as management
techniques, financial earnings, economic climate, product
evaluations, and executive changes. Industry subfiles allow users to
narrow or broaden their searches to one or more groups of industry
specific publications.
Transportation Research Information Services--is a composite
file with records that are either abstracts of published articles
and reports, or summaries of ongoing or recently completed research
projects relevant to the planning, development, operation, and
performance of transportation systems and their components. TRIS
provides international coverage of ongoing research projects,
published journal articles, state and Federal Government reports,
conference proceedings, research and technical papers, and
monographs.
Wall Street Journal Abstracts--contains abstracts of all
articles published in the Eastern 3-star Edition of The Wall Street
Journal newspaper. The Wall Street Journal is a daily newspaper
valued worldwide for its coverage of business, finance, and
economics.
Wilson Applied Science & Technology Abstracts--provides
comprehensive abstracting and indexing of more than 400 core
English-language scientific and technical publications. Non-English-
language periodicals are indexed if English abstracts are provided.
Periodical coverage includes trade and industrial publications,
journals issued by professional and technical societies, and
specialized subject periodicals, as well as special issues such as
buyers' guides, directories, and conference proceedings. Wilson
Applied Science & Technology Abstracts covers a wide range of
interdisciplinary fields through a broad array of science and
technology journals. Detailed abstracts of 50 to 150 words describe
the content and scope of the source articles. Materials indexed
include feature articles, interviews, obituaries, biographies,
speeches, and product evaluations.
WIPO/PCT Patents Full-Text--covers the full text of PCT (Patent
Cooperation Treaty) published applications issued under the auspices
of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) since 1983.
At present, 171 member states participate in the PCT system. A
single PCT application can be designated as valid in any or all of
the member states, so it is essentially equivalent to having filed
with each designated national and regional patent office.
World Reporter--is a comprehensive, global news source,
developed jointly by three of the world's leading information
companies: The Dialog Corporation, Financial Times Information, and
Dow Jones & Company. World Reporter covers the leading newspapers,
business magazines, and newswires from all regions of the world,
including emerging markets.
[FR Doc. 01-14092 Filed 6-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P