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FAQ database
How often is the worldwide database updated?
The speed with which documents are loaded varies considerably from country to country. Documentation relating to countries for which the PCT minimum documentation is held is usually loaded during the week following the publication date, as the EPO database is updated once a week and most patent offices publish their patent applications once a week. Documents enter the database with the following searchable fields: application number
, priority number
, publication number
, publication date
, inventor, patent applicant and international patent class (IPC). If available, English abstracts
are loaded approximately one month after the publication date
. If the abstract is published in a language other than English, the original abstract is usually translated into English unless there are English abstracts already available for family members. Otherwise, a translation is ordered and subsequently loaded into the database. The European classifications (ECLA
) assigned by EPO examiners are usually available a few months after the publication date. With recent documents, therefore, this search criterion must be used with care.
When are the abstracts loaded?
If available, abstracts are loaded approximatively one month after publication date
. Please see the abstracts
help file.
Do all records have an English abstract?
In some cases neither the title nor the abstract has been translated into English by the EPO. However, English-language abstracts are available for all patent specifications from the PCT minimum documentation or for their corresponding documents
.
Do all records have a facsimile version of the complete document?
No, in some cases, the facsimile of the requested document cannot be retrieved. You may however view the facsimile of a corresponding document
where available. The European Patent Office endeavours to obtain facsimile versions of all published patent applications.
Detailed information on facsimile availability can be found in this table
. On page 3, scroll down to the country you are interested in and click on it. Information will be displayed.
Why do some documents have a drawing under the bibliographic data tab and others not?
Only the documents belonging to the PCT Minimum Documentation (GB, US, CH, DE, FR and EP) have a drawing.
Which patent document kinds are available in esp@cenet®?
Click here
for details.
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