Legal Definitions - Index of Patents

The Index of Patents is an official, comprehensive publication produced annually by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). It serves as a detailed record of all patents issued during a particular year.

This resource is divided into two main sections:

• Part I: List of Patentees – This section lists the names of all individuals or organizations (patentees) that were granted patents during the year.
• Part II: Index to Subjects of Inventions – This section categorizes all patented inventions by their subject matter, organized into specific technical classes and subclasses.

The Index of Patents allows researchers, inventors, legal professionals, and the public to efficiently locate patents either by who received them or by the type of invention.

Examples:

• Scenario: A researcher conducting a prior art search.

  An engineer is developing a new type of biodegradable plastic and needs to determine if similar technologies have already been patented in the past year. They would consult Part II (Index to Subjects of Inventions) of the Index of Patents for the relevant year. By looking under categories such as "polymers," "biodegradable materials," or "sustainable packaging," the engineer can identify existing patents related to their invention, helping them understand the current patent landscape and avoid potential infringement.

• Scenario: A business analyst tracking competitor innovation.

  A technology company wants to monitor the patenting activity of its main rival, "Global Innovations Inc.," to understand their latest research and development focus. The business analyst would use Part I (List of Patentees) of the most recent Index of Patents. By searching for "Global Innovations Inc.," they can find a complete list of all patents granted to that company during the year, providing valuable insights into their technological advancements and strategic direction.

• Scenario: An inventor seeking a specific patent from a known individual.

  An independent inventor remembers reading about a groundbreaking patent granted last year to a renowned scientist, Dr. Anya Sharma, but cannot recall the patent number or the exact details of the invention. To find it, they could refer to Part I (List of Patentees) of the previous year's Index of Patents. Locating Dr. Anya Sharma's name would provide a list of all patents issued to her, allowing the inventor to quickly identify the specific invention they are interested in.