Thomson Reuters Expands Japanese Patent Coverage in Derwent World Patents Index

PHILADELPHIA (Map) - PHILADELPHIA, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, has further increased coverage of the growing patent activity in the Asia Pacific region with the addition of registered Japanese Utility Models in Derwent World Patents Index(R) (DWPI(SM)). This is the latest addition to the DWPI database, with Chinese Utility Model Registrations added in October 2007. The inclusion of the Japanese Utility Models provides the best access to Asian patents in English, and further enhances the value of DWPI for prior art and patentability searches.

"More applications are filed in Japan than anywhere else in the world, so it's critically important that organizations are aware of the breadth of innovations protected in this country," said David Brown, Executive Vice President, Corporate Markets for the Scientific business of Thomson Reuters. "By offering this critical Japanese patent data, we are extending our leadership position in providing the most comprehensive English-language coverage of Asian patent data."

Utility models are similar to patents, but require a less stringent review process and offer a shorter protection period. Japanese Utility Models, which have a protection period of 10 years from the application date, tend to be used to seek protection for devices that have a short lifecycle, or for inventions that have a lower technological aspect when compared to a full patent. Approximately 150-200 utility models are published each week by the Japanese Patent Office (8,000 to 10,000 annually).

The English-translated Japanese Utility Models, beginning with records published on January 10, 2008, are available in DWPI and Derwent World Patents Index First View(SM). Unexamined applications and some granted Japanese patents are available within 6-10 days of publication.

DWPI is the world's most comprehensive database of value-added patent documents. It provides detailed, value-added titles and abstracts -- in English -- for patent documents issued in over 30 languages. For more information about DWPI, please visit http://scientific.thomsonreuters.com/products/dwpi/.

The Scientific business of Thomson Reuters provides information and knowledge to accelerate research, discovery and innovation. Our authoritative, accurate and timely information is essential for drug companies to discover new drugs and get them to market faster; researchers to find relevant papers and know what's newly published in their subject; and businesses to optimize their intellectual property and find competitive intelligence. We create the research platforms and services of the future that will power our customers toward business and personal success.

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