Derwent World Patents Index
Encyclopedia
The Derwent World Patents Index (or DWPI) is a database containing patent
applications and grants from 44 of the world's patent issuing authorities.
Compiled in English by editorial staff, the database provides a short abstract detailing the nature and use of the invention described in a patent and is indexed into alphanumeric technology categories to allow retrieval of relevant patent documents by users.
Each record within the database defines a patent family
, the grouping of patent documentation recorded at the various patent offices as protection of an invention is sought around the world. Each patent family is grouped around a Basic patent, which is usually the first published example of the invention. All subsequent filings are referred back to the Basic patent, and are referred to as Equivalent patents. On this basis, the database has some 20 million "inventions", corresponding to tens of millions of patents, with almost a million new inventions added each year. From 2008, the number format of the Basic patent identifier (the Accession number) changed, to allow up to 3.6 million records per year to be added, as the previous format only allowed a maximum of 1 million new records a year. This is due to the steady increase in unique patents filed each year.
The database is produced by information provider Thomson Reuters (Scientific) Ltd, part of Thomson Reuters
.
codes, called Manual Codes. The classification system contains subdivisions related to chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering subject matter.
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
applications and grants from 44 of the world's patent issuing authorities.
Compiled in English by editorial staff, the database provides a short abstract detailing the nature and use of the invention described in a patent and is indexed into alphanumeric technology categories to allow retrieval of relevant patent documents by users.
Each record within the database defines a patent family
Patent family
A patent family is "a set of patents taken in various countries to protect a single invention ." In other words, a patent family is "the same invention disclosed by a common inventor and patented in more than one country."- See also :* Continuing patent application* Triadic patent* INPADOC...
, the grouping of patent documentation recorded at the various patent offices as protection of an invention is sought around the world. Each patent family is grouped around a Basic patent, which is usually the first published example of the invention. All subsequent filings are referred back to the Basic patent, and are referred to as Equivalent patents. On this basis, the database has some 20 million "inventions", corresponding to tens of millions of patents, with almost a million new inventions added each year. From 2008, the number format of the Basic patent identifier (the Accession number) changed, to allow up to 3.6 million records per year to be added, as the previous format only allowed a maximum of 1 million new records a year. This is due to the steady increase in unique patents filed each year.
Basic format
- Primary level data - an electronic form of the original patent.
- Bibliographical data - cleaned and formatted patent numbers, inventor, application date etc data.
- DWPI Abstract - a plain English summary of the Novel feature , Use and Advantage of the invention
- DWPI manual code / Indexing - a custom taxomomy indicating the novel feature and use.
The database is produced by information provider Thomson Reuters (Scientific) Ltd, part of Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters Corporation is a provider of information for the world's businesses and professionals and is created by the Thomson Corporation's purchase of Reuters Group on 17 April 2008. Thomson Reuters is headquartered at 3 Times Square, New York City, USA...
.
Derwent Manual Codes
Derwent produces its own proprietary patent classificationPatent classification
A patent classification is a way the examiners of patent offices or other people arrange documents, such as patent applications, disclosing inventions according to the technical features of the inventions...
codes, called Manual Codes. The classification system contains subdivisions related to chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering subject matter.