Fully searchable bibliographic file indexes all of the approximately 1.7 million U.S. patents issued since 1975. Stony Brook faculty, students and staff can search this database free as members of the Community of Science. Visit the site for more information. Another commercial firm specializing in patent information, Derwent provides access to the international patent literature through its online patent database, patent document delivery, and patent translation services. Derwent's Global Patent Resource Manual provides useful information about the international patent classification, application procedures, and the uses of patent information.
Specific information is available on the patent process for Canada, Italy, and Japan.
IBM Intellectual Property Network European, Japanese, and other PCT patents are searchable and front page matter or more is displayed. See dates covered . The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Information on patenting an idea, doing a patent search, and locating the nearest Patent Depository Library for hard copies of patents. Independent Inventor Resources answers most questions about the patenting process. How to Get a Patent Information from Nolo Press on the patent process.