What are WPI and INPADOC databases used for in patent examination?
The World Patents Index (WPI) and International Patent Documentation Center (INPADOC) are two key databases used by USPTO examiners for retrieving foreign patent information. According to MPEP 901.07:
- WPI: Used for searches requiring abstracts, publication dates, patent families, inventor names, or International Patent Classification (IPC) searches.
- INPADOC: Primarily used for quick searches of publication dates or patent families.
The MPEP notes: WPI in-house is used whenever abstracts are needed or when searches in addition to publication date or patent family are required, such as searches on inventor name or IPC (International Patent Classification).
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