A search system with the nation's largest patent database went online at the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) as part of its April 26 open house to mark World Intellectual Property Day.

The result of two years of effort by SIPO software engineers, the system provides comprehensive information for patent examiners and the public.

The system has more than 80 million abstracts of patent-related documents, and more than 70 million full-text documents and charts, collected from nearly 100 countries, regions and organizations.

More than 100 visitors - including patent owners, inventors, intellectual property (IP) scholars and interested citizens who signed up online - attended the event.

Like previous years, the sixth annual SIPO open house was designed to "let a wider public approach SIPO and get more acquainted with IP knowledge", Vice-Commissioner Bao Hong said in a speech to open the event.

Over the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), the central government aims to increase invention patent ownership from 1.7 per 10,000 people to 3.3, which means "intellectual property and patents have become important indicators in the evaluation of the nation's economy and social development", Bao said.

Three exhibit halls were open to visitors to display recent achievements in IP protection, the history of SIPO and the newly unveiled patent search system.

The office's registration hall and scientific examination lab were also open to visitors.

One of the participants, Sui Yang from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, said she was "inspired" by the exhibitions because she "learned about the development of IP protection in the nation and saw so many talented people".

Sui was before a member of a law society and had a clear view about IP protection. "If you work for a company, you may meet IP issues such as trademark registration or copycat products," she said. "We need to enhance our IP understanding."

SIPO officials also unveiled a series of training materials on how to search, apply for and protect patents.

Zeng Zhihua, director of SIPO's documentation and automation department, said it is of strategic importance to develop patent information as a resource and improve its use.

The training series includes four hours of video material and two books.

The multimedia course provides an introduction to a range of patent-related issues including registration, importing and exporting products, and how to handle disputes.

A third book in the series is on the way, Zeng said. It will give deeper insight into the patent application process and include many case studies.

SIPO organized a number of training programs for patent agencies and companies across China last year. Lessons were given to more than 1,000 trainees.

(Source: China Daily)