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Patent Expiry Data for US Patents

By Neil Walden, Neil_Walden@sandwich.pfizer.com, August 16, 2000

    I used to search the USPTO site below for patents expired due to nonpayment of fees, but this facility was withdrawn some time ago.

    http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/expired/index.phpl

    Question:

    Does anyone know of an alternative source for this information apart from telephoning the numbers given on the referral page from the above link? This was a useful source of status information for US patents, since Inpadoc includes this data when it can, but I am not convinced that the coverage is comprehensive.

    Neil Walden
    Information Resources (855)
    Pfizer Global Research & Development, Sandwich
    Kent, CT13 9NJ,UK
    Tel: +44 1304 642351
    E-mail : Neil_Walden@sandwich.pfizer.com

    Answers:

    I received several replies which I include at the request of the contributors without names. My thanks to the respondents.

    1. The first contributor uses the IFICLS database on STN to find out the legal status of US patents

      2. (I also received a reply from IFI regarding their database which is also available on Dialog (File 123) and Questel (File CRXX))

    2. The second reply recommended use of the following USPTO link
      http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/maintfee/
      Followed by Clicking on the link to the OG notices, which leads to a weekly list of expired patent numbers.
      There isn't a web searchable database, but you can use your browser's find function within each page. (A somewhat lengthy process when I tried it -- NW).

    3. The third reply recommended calling the telephone numbers on the USPTO site http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/expired/index.phpl which allows you to speak to a real live person (use the numbers at the bottom of the expired page from about 8:30 to 4PM EDT)!
      The advantage is that they can tell you that the fee payment is overdue and when the patent will lapse, and will also provide info on several patents.

Last edited: September 2000 / Elyse Turner

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