New Internet patent information service
The European Patent Organization, the governing body of the European Patent Office (EPO), decided in December 1997 to develop Internet-based patent information services. A new service named DIPS (Distributed Internet Patent Services), due to come on-stream by mid-1998, will be specifically targeted at the general public. Particular emphasis will be placed on serving the needs of individuals and SMEs wishing to find basic information coming from patent publications. In addition, it will also serve to increase awareness of publicly available patent information at both European and national levels. It is not, however, designed to serve patent professionals, for whom a number of services already exist. In order to maximize access, the service will be available free of charge on the Internet to anyone with a standard connection and Web browser. Users will be able to perform keyword searches using standard forms requiring little or no training. In principle, users will access the service through the Web sites of their own national patent offices, thereby ensuring that the search facilities are presented in their own language. The European Patent Office will also offer direct access from its site to information from European patent publications and the European Patent Register.