+ Google Launches Google Patents, Full-Text US Patent Searching (via Search Engine Land)
Excellent overview and background from Danny along with and a fact-filled postscript from Bill Slawski where he not only shares some views but also runs a few searches comparing results between the USPTO database and Google Patents. Interesting.

Two quick points we’ve noticed.

1) This database does NOT include Pre-Grant Published Applications that are published before a U.S. patent is or is not awarded. Like other patent database, the Pre-Grant dbase can be useful in CI research. It’s available via the USPTO.

2) Watch those totals and use advanced search features to narrow your search! Why? This search for FM Radio shows 1002 results. However, you can only view 579 of them. Another search for “Search Engine” shows a total of 1157 results but you’re unable view beyond result 577. One more search, this time for electric motor. The total listed is 1247 but only 596 can be reviewed. Of course, MOST people will only look at the first few results be it a specialty database or a general web database. However, as we’ve pointed out with Google Scholar, some users might want to review all of the results and maybe analyze offline. So, not being able to review all of the results could be an issue. Most likely not most searchers need to worry about, just something to keep in mind.

In the FAQ, Google says its patent database is current as of the middle of 2006. They “look forward” to adding more features and content (including international patents) “in the future.”

Note: The advanced interface includes 5 fields:
+ Patent #
+ Title
+ Inventor
+ Assignee
+ Current U.S. Classification
+ International Classification
+ Issue date
+ Filing Date

See Also: Other Free Patent Search Databases for U.S. and International Patents
+ esp@cenet
From a Virtual Chase description:

The European Patent Office offers this database containing information from patent applications published in over 50 countries (and regions) worldwide. Search by keyword, patent application number or company to find abstracts and bibliographic information. Although a free search and retrieval site, the database features a shopping cart that lets you store search results. Site documentation indicates that this feature will soon allow you to order paper copies of patents, if desired.

+ Free Patents Online
Also offers topical RSS feeds.
+ IP Newsflash Patent Family Search

This free service allows you to search for patent families complete with their legal status based on INPADOC data.

+ Cambia Patent Lens
Custom RSS feeds.
+ Clearly Understood
Concept searching for patents.
+ Fresh Patents
RSS feeds available. Browse, too!
+ Delphion
Several free and fee-based services. Includes patent number searching against worldwide collections
+ Braindex
U.S. and International Patents.
+ Canadian Patent Database
Over 75 years of content.

Thanks to Carey Lening for her assistance with this post.

+ New Features from MSN Virtual Earth Released
What’s New?
++ Improved Tools to Navigate “Birds Eye” Imagery Using an “inset map.” (Much easier!)
Also, kudos on the next new feature that also makes Birds Eye imagery more user friendly.

You can now drag to the end of a birds eye scene and and the next Birds Eys image should appear (if available)

++ Ability to Measure Distances from Point A to Point B Using Drawing Tools: Example Here
From the blog post:

To compliment this, we’ve added a bunch of new drawing features and drawing enhancements. for instance, you can now right click on an end node of a path to continue drawing where you left off in a previous visit.

See Also: MSN Live Local Adds More Bird’s Eye Imagery to Database (December 8, 2006)

+Skype Version 3.0 Released for Windows

+ Center for Research Libraries Contributes 71 millionth Record to OCLC, Awarded “Gold Record”. The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek has contributed the 72nd - 76th millionth records.

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