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Information rules at PATLIB2008

Information rules at PATLIB2008

This year's PATLIB conference focused on preparing the European Patent Library Network for future challenges, with commitments to public information high on the agenda. Held in Warsaw from 28-30 May, PATLIB2008 examined the changing nature of patent information in the context of its shift from physical to online records. Representatives from 34 regional patent information centres attended the event.

In his introduction, European Patent Office (EPO) vice-president, Curt Edfjäll, said that, 'Making patents understandable' was the major goal for patent information centres. While he pointed out that access to patent information was becoming easier for the general public, he acknowledged that this information was not always clear or efficient, and recommended improvements in line with new EPO policy guidelines.

'We experts have the responsibility to break down barriers to understanding patents so that our customers can use them to their own advantage and that of society,' said Edfjäll, stressing that the EPO's patent information efforts would hinge on close co-operation with national patent offices. As part of the drive, the EPO is planning to make all the search tools currently used by patent examiners available to patent applicants.

Alicja Adamczak, president of the Polish Patent Office, emphasised that patent information resources are key to building strong economies – a view consistent with remarks she made in April to the Intellectual Property and Economy conference in Riga: '…the main task of the patent system is making profits for the national and European economies by means of creating favorable conditions for effective exploitation of exclusive rights. However … considerable structural changes which could transform the patent system to fit modern requirements and bring about the rise of intellectual property awareness on the part of entrepreneurs seem indispensable.'

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