The USPTO Launches the Global Patent Search Network
On July 8, Teresa Stanek Rea, Acting Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”), announced on her official blog the launch of the Global Patent Search Network (“GPSN”). The GPSN is the result of a cooperative effort between the USPTO and China’s State Intellectual Property Office (“SIPO”). Users of the GPSN will be able to search full text Chinese patent documents and English machine translations, thus enabling searches in both English and Chinese. The initial database of documents will include published applications, granted patents, and utility models dated from 2008 to 2011. The database will be periodically updated. In addition, the USPTO anticipates the network will expand to include patent documentation from other foreign intellectual property offices.