New ways of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (GPTO) for the dissemination of IP information

The new GPTO information policy is described. Its objective is to provide inexpensive information as a public information infrastructure for the promotion of economic development. The office’s intention to fulfil its information tasks in an up-to-date form, taking into account the interests of the commercial information suppliers, is explained. Specific aspects described include: raw data provision for downloading at marginal cost, the enhancement of the current Internet services, an XML interface, services in connection with the electronic document management systems within the GPTO, electronic filing and changes in public search room facilities. A new Internet platform to replace the present paper publications in 2004, including electronic IP gazettes, is also foreshadowed.