How does the USPTO handle non-English language patent documents?

The USPTO has implemented measures to make non-English language patent documents more accessible to examiners:

  1. English language abstracts: Until October 1995, it was the practice in the Office to classify and place only a single patent family member for each invention in the examiner search files. In addition, all non-English language patent documents placed in the examiner files were accompanied, to the extent possible, by an English language abstract.
  2. Derwent World Patents index: The Derwent World Patents index is available on the EAST and WEST systems and provides patent family information and Derwent titles and abstracts in English of foreign patent documents.
  3. Translation services: Additionally, STIC translation staff is able to retrieve foreign patent information for examiners.

These provisions ensure that examiners can access and understand the content of non-English patent documents, facilitating thorough prior art searches and examinations.

To learn more:

Tags: derwent, non-english patents, patent abstracts, Translations