Derwent World Patents Index (WPI):
Adding Value to Patents
Derwent Value Added Information
Derwent adds value to the information sourced from the original patent application, through a process of rigorous classification, abstracting and indexing. The process is outlined below:
- Derwent sources patent data from 42 patent-issuing authorities. The original patent titles are re-written to make them more meaningful and easier to understand. This allows companies to quickly identify which patents are important to their work, and so save time and money by making the best use of resources.
- Derwent's subject experts write 250-500 word English abstracts from patent documents issued in over 30 foreign languages, detailing the claims and disclosures of the inventions and highlighting the main uses and advantages of the technology. This allows patent searchers to understand original language documents. Derwent's bibliographic information summarizes the history of the patent application, including details of where the invention was patented, who it was patented by and when it was patented.
- Derwent gathers together world-wide patent documents, which relate to the
same invention. This is provided as a concise Patent Family Table, representing the global coverage of the invention sought by the Patent Assignee.
- Derwent's sophisticated system of indexing makes information easier to find
allowing companies to search patent information more efficiently.
Derwent WPI Country Coverage
| Country | Year Introduced | Derwent Update |
| Argentina (AR) | 1974-1976 only | |
| Australia (AU) | 1983 (also 1963-1969) | 198310 |
| Austria (AT) | 1975 | 197515 |
| Belgium (BE) | 1963 | |
| Brazil (BR) | 1976 | 197601 |
| Canada (CA) | 1963 | |
| China (CN) | 1987 | 198701 |
| Czech Republic (CZ) | 1993 | 199319 |
| Czechoslovakia (CS) | 1975-1994 | 197520 |
| Denmark (DK) | 1974 | 197445 |
| European Patents (EP) | 1978 | 197849 |
| Finland (FI) | 1974 | 197445 |
| France (FR) | 1963 | |
| Germany (East) (DD) | 1963 | |
| Germany (DE) | 1963 | |
| Hungary (HU) | 1975 | 197526 |
| International Technology Disclosures (TP) | 1984-1993 | 198408 |
| Ireland (IE) | 1963-1969; 1995 | 199517 |
| Israel (IL) | 1975 | 197515 |
Italy (IT) (Subject from
Section A Only) | 1966-1969; 1978 | 197801 |
| Japan (JP) | 1963 | |
| Korea (South) (KR) | 1986 | 198640 |
| Luxembourg (LU) | 1984 | 198443 |
| Mexico (MX) | 1997 | 199816 |
| Netherlands (NL) | 1963 | |
| New Zealand (NZ) | 1993 | 199301 |
| Norway (NO) | 1974 | 197448 |
| Patent Cooperation Treaty (WO) | 1978 | 197849 |
| Philippines (PH) | 1995 | |
| Portugal (PT) | 1974 | 197452 |
| Research Disclosure (RD) | 1978 | 197809 |
| Romania (RO) | 1975 | 197532 |
| Russian Federation (RU) | 1994 (Russia) | 199406 |
| Singapore (SG) | 1995 | 199513 |
| Slovakia (SK) | 1994 | 199417 |
| South Africa (ZA) | 1963 | |
| Soviet Union (SU) | 1963-1994 | |
| Spain (ES) | 1983 | 198334 |
| Sweden (SE) | 1974 | 197442 |
| Switzerland (CH) | 1963 | |
| Taiwan (TW) | 1993 | 199324 |
| United Kingdom (GB) | 1963 | |
| United States (US) | 1963 | |
Using the Derwent Classification System
Derwent categorizes patent documents using a simple classification system for all areas of technology. This unique classification system has been consistently applied to all patent documents by Derwent's subject specialists since 1963.
The Derwent Classifications provide a uniform and accurate indexing tool that will allow you to effectively clarify the ambiguity that results from a keyword search and broaden or narrow your subject / keyword searches.
Using the International Patent Classification System
The International Patent Classification System (IPC) is a hierarchical classification system produced by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This is the patent classification system used by patent offices worldwide. It has been included in Derwent WPI records since 1963. The IPC covers all areas of technology and is a useful system that will allow searching with greater precision.
Using Derwent's Manual Codes
Derwent's Manual Code system is a hierarchical classification system developed by Derwent to enable precise retrieval of chemical patent technology (beginning in 1963) and electrical / electronic patent technology (beginning in 1980) within the Derwent WPI database. The system is the most precise way to search the Derwent WPI database due to the technical skill and consistent indexing provided by Derwent's staff.
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