Patent Office Research Articles

Cosmetic patent and female invention.

Majority customers of cosmetics are female. Would this imply a high proportion of inventors of cosmetics technology is female? Would the inventor's gender be related to the characteristics and quality of corresponding patent? This study tries to identify manifestation of gender equity in cosmetics technology in terms of patent application and grant, technical characteristics, and its performance. We apply topic modeling, zero-inflated Poisson regression, and survival analysis to patents related to cosmetics that were applied to the United States Patent and Trademark Office from 1970 to 2016. The results show that women's participation in cosmetic inventions is becoming active and has experienced many changes in technical characteristics, but in terms of performance, it is still sluggish. This study is expected to contribute to deepening our understanding about gender issues in technology development.

What Is Being Patented in Software Engineering?: Empirical Evidence From the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

What Is Being Patented in Software Engineering?: Empirical Evidence From the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Letter of PTAAARMIGAN (Patent and Trademark Attorneys, Agents, and Applicants for Restoration and Maintenance of Integrity in Government), U.S. Inventor, and 73 Patent Professionals to Patent and Trademark Office re Terminal Disclaimer Rule (July 9, 2024)

Letter of PTAAARMIGAN (Patent and Trademark Attorneys, Agents, and Applicants for Restoration and Maintenance of Integrity in Government), U.S. Inventor, and 73 Patent Professionals to Patent and Trademark Office re Terminal Disclaimer Rule (July 9, 2024)

Novel Synthesized Tyrosinase Inhibitors: A Systematic Patent Review (2012-Present).

Tyrosine is an enzyme responsible for melanin production. Its abnormal accumulation in different parts of the body is known as hyperpigmentation. Tyrosinase inhibitors have been used as one of the main approaches to treat these kinds of cosmetic and medical issues. This review aimed to discuss the advances in patents for this class of inhibitors, focusing on synthetic ones, by studying recent patent applications (2012-2022). We performed a screening using the European Patent Office's Espacenet database, from which 15 inventions were selected and fully studied. China has more patent applications, all of them were focused on synthetic methods and the majority declared at least two additional applications as antibrowning agents for fruits and vegetables, biological pesticides, and medicine to treat diseases like Parkinson's or melanoma. The strategies employed by the investigators focused on the examination of previous literature, which oriented on the type of structures that have been found to show good inhibitory activity; the study also examined aspects of their reaction mechanisms and information about the structureactivity relationship. For some groups of inhibitors, such as benzaldehyde and anthraquinone derivatives, the data were meaningful and extensive. In contrast, arginyl and troponoids compounds were difficult to analyze due to the limited research works.

International Patent Office Guidance on Artificial Intelligence Inventions

International Patent Office Guidance on Artificial Intelligence Inventions

Análise das redes de colaboração em ações de pesquisa científica e tecnológica sobre maracujá

ABSTRACT: Scientific research on passion fruit has been conducted in several institutions worldwide, and it is of interest to the productive sector, the scientific community, and science and technology managers to learn about current scientific advances and opportunities through metric studies of bibliographic information. A survey of publications indexed in the Web of Science and the Agricultural Research Database-BDPA, in European Patent Office - Espacenet, and Embrapa’s technologies and projects were used as indicators to characterize research networks. This study analyzed the co-authorship and co-citation network of scientific production, the strength of connections among institutions, and a map of co-occurrence of keywords from 2001 to 2020. Brazil, the United States, Colombia, and France had the largest co-authorship networks for Passifloraceae. Brazilian institutions that are in a prominent position in the analysis of co-authorship networks and that produced the largest number of publications were Embrapa, University of São Paulo (USP), and State University of Campinas (Unicamp). The main themes studied were adsorption, antioxidant, clarification, evolution, flavonoid, flowering, growth, and somatic embryogenesis. Patents related to the use of passifloras were highest between 2015 and 2017 and were mainly focused on the production of food, beverages, cosmetics, and medicines. Brazil has relevant bibliographic production and technological development regarding passion fruit for the academic community and rural producers. These results integrated aspects of scientific activity that can help explore new research directions and explain the use and circulation of scientific production.

Muudetava tihedusega kangasuga. Ühe tööriista leiutamise lugu / Weaving reed for adjusting warp density while weaving: the inventing of a tool

The article is built around invention as a process, DIY as an attitude, and the activities and procedures necessary to make an invention in the field of crafts. The article opens a case study of the invention of one handweaving tool – a reed in which density is adjustable during weaving – tracking its journey from an idea to a prototype, a utility model, and a product. An overview of previous versions of the reed that allow changing the warp density is given. As follows, the process of invention has been described according to the stages perceived by the author, paying attention to her own experience as the inventor, and to factors that promote and hinder product development. The inventor’s choices in the process have been influenced by self-definition as a user and as an entrepreneur. Auto-ethnography has been used as a method for writing the article. I examine how DIY culture manifests itself in this specific case of the product development process, and how my roles as the inventor, entrepreneur, and weaver act in harmony in this process. The process of inventing in my case can be divided into the following stages: first – addressing the problem (how the weaver can change the warp density while weaving), and imagining the possible solutions; second – analysing the present situation to understand what spatial limitations of the handloom must be considered, and what moves can be made by the weaver during the weaving process. In order to reach a solution to the problem outlined above, I made a DIY version of the prototype tool using available materials (bricolage), and then used the tool myself. With the help of Ago Jääger, an engineer, the prototype was then developed into the version that could be manufactured. Valuable contacts were provided by Anne Erlach from the Patent Office of Estonia. Thanks to the support from textile specialists Vibeke Vestby (Norway), Andreas Möller (Germany) and Tina and Bernt Arne Ignell from VÄV (Scandinavian weaving journal), I started to promote the tool and reached out to the users who were inspired by the new warp manipulation possibilities and the variations that the tools brought with them. Here are the working principles of the three versions of adjustable reeds compared with that of a previously existing tool, the fan reed: Fan reed (invention from the 19th century) consists of dents that are under angles. By raising or lowering the tool, the warps get pushed into the new position. The pattern possibilities are restricted as the groups are dependent upon the position of the reed, and the wide setting and narrow setting are always side by side (1). Adjustable reed (AdRe) (Utility model, 2009) was the first version of my reeds, where warps can be manipulated during the weaving process in individual groups (2). Distance between the dents ischanged by changing the angle of the arms. Folding reed. This version of an adjustable reed was inspired by a carpenter’s folding ruler. With this type of reed dramatic changes in fabric width (3) are also possible; the position of one section of warps influences the position of the sections to the right and to the left of it (4). Adjustable sliding weaving reed (Utility model published in 2014). Adjustable sliding weaving reed enables the weaver to change the density of the reed (affects the warp density) in independent groups (5). It can also make twists in warps as the modules can be removed from the rail and fixed in a new position (6), and alter the width of the fabric while weaving (7).Commercially, this version is promoted under the name RailReed. Weaving reed for adjusting warp density while weaving. Examples are given of weavers and artists who use the possibilities of this tool to change the thread density in groups, as well as the fabric width during weaving, and how such manipulations of fabric structures are connected to the creative projects of these authors. Keywords: reed, adjustable weaving reed, adjusted warp density, handloom, inventing, DIY

PROBLEM OF OPTIMAL SELECTION OF INFORMATION RESOURCES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PATENT SEARCH OF METALLURGICAL MATTERS

The continuous digitization of patent information sources and the emergence of new world leaders in metallurgical science and production necessitate the correction of traditional approaches to international patent searches, which are carried out by specialists of science & technology libraries for users-inventors. The authors have compiled an exhaustive register of existing national and international electronic patent databases (EPDB), which includes 49 titles and covers the patent offices of countries, whose joint share in steel production, as of 2022, reaches 99% of the world total. Thus, the widest possible breadth of international patent search in the metallurgical field was determined. In order to spare the working time of library specialists and save resources while performing this type of search, the task of its optimization was formulated and subsequently solved. The study developed three possible scenarios of patent search, which include 11, 5 and 1 recommended electronic databases. The authors have carried out a comparative analysis of the three largest multinational free-access EBDBs: Patentscope, Espacenet and Depatisnet. It is determined that Espacenet contains the most complete and up-to-date collection of metallurgical patents and, therefore, is best suited for this type of search. In general, the research has a pronounced practical orientation and is intended to give the specialists of science & technology libraries tools and guidance for performing international patent searches in modern conditions and, thus, to improve the quality of user service. In addition, the obtained work results made it possible to determine promising directions for replenishment of library funds.

The Importance of Authentic Deeds in Contracts Keeping Company Secrets

This study aims to review; 1) What aspects need attention in making agreements to keep company secrets?; 2) What is the significance of an authentic Deed in making an agreement keeping company secrets?. The research method used is evaluative descriptive research. Evaluative research is basically centered on final recommendations that affirm that an object of evaluation can be maintained, improved, improved or even dismissed in line with the data obtained. The results showed that; 1 The most that companies do to keep company secrets is done by making written agreements between the company and employees within the company and outside parties with an interest in the company. 2) The tendency to choose the Company's form of protection is at least based on two reasons, including the following: First, because often the substance that is desired to get protection is something that cannot be patented, such as the company's customer list, financial data, business notes and others. Secondly, it is also possible that what wants to be protected is actually possible to be granted a patent, but inventors prefer this form of trade secret protection for various reasons such as unlimited protection periods, more guaranteed confidentiality values, high fees at patent offices and complicated registration formalities

Critical evaluation of publications and patents in nanobiotechnology-based research in the last decade

Abstract Nanobiotechnology is a specific field of biotechnology that utilizes nanoscale methods and materials to investigate biological systems and create innovative medical technologies. This review discusses the diverse use of nanobiotechnology in health, focusing on both its superior properties and challenges. The main aims of this report are to present and elaborate on the global market share of this growing field as well as the scientific output, regarding publications and patents in the last decade. Quantitative data is derived from the Statnano database, which includes information related to the articles from the Web of Science (WoS) and approved patents from the European Patent Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The final aim of this review is to provide some suggestions based on these data. Government support is the most important driving force in building up research and publications. Support for advancement in nanotechnology to fabricate products for commercial and public benefit is the top priority of developed nations. Thus, entrepreneurial training of young researchers, and collaborations between scientists, policymakers, investors, and citizens, should be encouraged. To work together globally and set international standards for the creation of consistent methods in characterizing nanoscale products with biological systems is imperative.

Does the recombination of distant scientific knowledge generate valuable inventions? An analysis of pharmaceutical patents

In view of the valuable and heterogeneous roles of science in technological development, we investigate the extent to which the cognitive distance and geographical boundary-spanning search of scientific knowledge affect the value of inventions in this study. In particular, we examine the diverse influencing mechanisms of scientific and technological knowledge as well as their interplay in the recombination process of invention. By analyzing the pharmaceutical patents granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office from 2010 to 2019, alongside their citations of scientific publications, we reveal that the cognitive distance of scientific knowledge has an inverted U-shaped impact on the value of inventions in terms of both their technological impacts and economic value, whereas the cognitive distance of technological knowledge has a positive and an inverted U-shaped effect on the technological impacts and the economic value of inventions, respectively. Moreover, the cognitive distances of these two types of knowledge exhibit a complementary relationship with regard to the technological impacts of inventions while displaying a weakly substitutive relationship concerning the economic value of inventions. Notably, combining moderately distant scientific knowledge and distant technological knowledge obtains the highest value of inventions in terms of both technological impacts and economic value. Additionally, geographical boundary-spanning search of science significantly raises both the technological impacts and the economic value of inventions.

Inventing for Tomorrow: The State of the National Academy of Inventors

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) held the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the NAI in Phoenix, AZ, in June 2022. The event, whose theme was "Defining the Future: Inventing for Tomorrow," consisted of keynotes, panel discussions, induction ceremonies for Senior Members and new Fellows, and a student showcase, all of which honored and empowered the world's brightest innovators and professionals by creating powerful connections between them and by generating the momentum that will enhance and transform our innovation ecosystem. In his State of the Academy address, Paul R. Sanberg, president of the NAI, discussed the year's advances, including a new diversity initiative undertaken in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He also provided updates on existing programs, such as the NAI Fellows program and the Chapter program, as well as exciting new ventures like the new Sentinel Award.

A New Device (3D-MMD) and Method for Measuring Moisture Management Properties of Textiles

ABSTRACT Today, expectations from textile products have increased and the comfort features of clothes have gained more importance, especially for leisure and sports clothes. Therefore, the liquid moisture transmission of clothes is quite important, which has a significant effect on the body's ability to cool itself and the user's feeling cold after sweating. A new test instrument “3D-MMD” (3 Dimension Moisture Mapping Device), that measures the liquid moisture transmission feature of the fabrics in multidirection is introduced in this paper. The developed system includes two thermal cameras that allow measurement below and above of the sample. When the test liquid is dropped on the sample, the heat transfer occurs and due to the heat transfer during the transmission of moisture, the surface temperature of wetted and non-wetted parts of the fabric changes. This change is detected in the form of infrared data with the help of thermal cameras and converted into an electronic image. The wet area can be easily created by processing the images of the color visuals coming instantly from the thermal camera. The patent for this new method has been registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TR2020/21004). Meanwhile, the international patent application process continues (PCT/TR2021/051223).

Looking at Monarchy Askance: Royal Brand Names and Trademark Law in the German Empire

Abstract This article uses the example of Manoli Cigarettes and its product line, The Kaiser Cigarettes, to examine the concept of co-branding as applied to royal brand names in the German Empire. It reviews the broader networks of circulation that determined the production of royal brand names: commercial laws, business ties, advances in technology, advertising structures, tourism, and other sectors of the consumer economy. The article delves into how trademark law, the Imperial Patent Office's role in approving brand names, and case law contributed to the choice of royal brand names. The article also illuminates how manufacturers used royal brands to implement business strategies along a horizontal plane of market competition. The production of the monarchy as a cultural object was thus activated through a process of triangulation: not only through the bilateral relationship between monarch and subjects, but also lateral relations between producers who were concerned about their professional networks.

Patent Analysis of Atomic Emission Study of Sodium Content in Potash

Potash is one of the most common and important chemical substances, widely used in various branches of the scientific and industrial sectors. During the production and receipt of potash, undesirable impurities are formed: alkaline (Na, K, Li), alkaline earth (Ca, Ba) elements, etc. It is proposed to identify such impurities using atomic emission spectroscopy. This article discusses atomic emission spectroscopy as a method based on the analysis of optical line emission spectra of atoms in the gas phase. This is one of the new and promising areas of qualitative and quantitative analysis. One type of atomic emission spectroscopy is flame photometry. This method is used to determine alkali (Na, K, Li), alkaline earth (Ca, Ba) and some other elements by atomic spectra or molecular bands. In order to study it, an analysis of patent activity was carried out up to 1960 on the website of the Patent Office of the Russian Federation. Based on the research data, a summary table was made and a graph was constructed for studying this method and obtaining potash, which shows an increase in interest on the part of researchers. A search of patents from 1960 to the present shows that interest in the study of atomic emission spectroscopy as a method of elemental analysis is growing, as well as interest in the chemical processes for producing potash. Conducted research proves that potash is a sought-after product due to its sustainable consumption and stable demand in the market.

Neuroenhancement Patentability and the Boundaries Conundrum in Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract Patent offices worldwide deny patentability to innovations which stand against the ordre public: does enhancement represent a value-laden societal threat? Patent offices also reject applications for therapeutical methods: when is enhancement also a therapeutical method? One specific class of enhancers, i.e. pharmaceutical neuroenhancers, is particularly complex in this respect: certain molecules can potentially function both as treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders and as recreational enhancers for non-patients’ brain. Hence, the present work advances the debate on enhancement patentability in two directions: ratione loci, by scrutinising China’s stances on enhancement’s safety and morality, compared to the most frequently explored Western jurisdictions, namely the EU and the US; and ratione materiae, by illuminating the porous bioethical boundaries between treatment and enhancement in the domain of neuropsychiatry. It challenges patent offices’ de facto regulatory role in defining and policing citizens’ access to neuroenhancing substances through misplaced or pseudo-scientific intellectual-property narratives of innovativeness and morale.

PatentInspector: An Open-Source Tool for Applied Patent Analysis and Information Extraction

Patent analysis is a field that concerns the analysis of patent records, for the purpose of extracting insights and trends, and it is widely used in various fields. Despite the abundance of proprietary software employed for this purpose, there is currently a lack of easy-to-use and publicly available software that can offer simple and intuitive visualizations, while advocating for open science and scientific software development. In this study, we attempt to fill this gap by offering PatentInspector, an open-source, public tool that, by leveraging patent data from the United States Trademark and Patent Office, is able to produce descriptive analytics, thematic axes and citation network analysis. The use and interpretability of PatentInspector is illustrated through a use case on human resource management-related patents, highlighting its functionalities. The results indicate that PatentInspector is a practical resource for conducting patent analytics and can be used by individuals with a limited or no background in coding and software development.

Inventive Indians: Technological Imaginaries and Patenting Activity in Late Colonial India (1911–48)

The Patent Act extended to colonial India in 1859 introduced to Indians the right to file a patent for an invention. The article locates India as a site for invention and innovation, not by looking at the legal evolution of the law or the inventions themselves, but at the Indian patentees’ engagement with the law. The consistent but small number of Indian patentees is suggestive of patent-filing being a form of sustained engagement with technological modernity. The establishment of a Patent Office completed the bureaucratic structure and was an intrinsic part of the development of India as a technocratic and scientific state. Examining the nature of this colonial institution, the paper examines a parallel process which shaped patenting: Indianisation. The colonial policy of Indianisation shaped Indians’ access to employment and research in technical institutes. This had two visible but discrete consequences: in the number of Indian employees whose patents were acquired by the government, and the creation of a notable ‘patent culture’ with the Patent Office in Calcutta as a site and headed by an Indian. The paper uses the patent law as an axis to illuminate conversations around inventive activity in colonial India.

Comparative analysis on R&D internationalization under economy-level technological disparities and ownership-specific technological differences

PurposeThis study aims to investigate whether there are disparities in research and development (R&D) internationalization between latecomers from economy-level technological disparities and firms with ownership-specific technological capability differences in the wind turbine industry.Design/methodology/approachEmploying econometric analysis based on patent indicators, the authors examine the patent data assigned by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to the technologically advanced economy and the technologically emerging economy.FindingsThis study finds that latecomers from technologically advanced economies behave with no difference from early leaders in terms of international co-invention (INCO) but do show differences in another indicator – native ownership of foreign inventors (NOFIs). Additionally, latecomers from economy-level technological disparity show significant differences both in both INCO and NOFI. These results indicate that the latecomers from technologically advanced economies not only possess the nature of latecomers which motivates them to seek knowledge from foreign economies but also benefit from their advanced home base, thereby prompting them to internationalize and access cost-effective R&D resources. Moreover, the results demonstrate that latecomers from technologically emerging economies are more prone to engage in R&D internationalization to augment their own home base compared with firms from advanced economy.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature on R&D internationalization by introducing novel perspectives. It distinguishes some apparent distinctions of the tendency of R&D internationalization between latecomers under economy-level technological disparity as well as firms from ownership-specific technological capabilities differences. Additionally, this study disaggregates R&D internationalization into twin key dimensions: INCO and NOFI. These findings allow for a comprehensive understanding of the differences in the firm's R&D internationalization under economy-level technological disparities and ownership-specific technological differences. These findings offer valuable insights for decision-makers in navigating global innovation activities by highlighting the diverse economy-level technological advantages as well as ownership-specific advantages.

US patent expands Hardide's IP portfolio

Hardide Plc, a UK company that develops, manufactures and sells tungsten carbide and tungsten metal matrix composite coatings, has secured a patent from the US Patent Office that covers its water droplet erosion resistant coatings for turbine blades and other components.