An upgraded Derwent World Patents Index (DWPI) is now be available on FIZ Karlsruhe Scientific & Technical Information Network (STN), writes Daniel Griffin.

The enhanced service will offer around 3/4 million abstracts from 1995-99 and an additional backfile of chemical structure indexes, featuring original abstracts and patent titles, including the full names and addresses of inventors and patent agents as well as United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent classifications.

With the additional content there is a new structure for users, the first component - Invention constitutes traditional DWPI content whilst in addition the Members area consists of new information from associated publications in the patent record database, including improved structure for access and use.

David Brown, Executive Vice President, Corporate Markets at Thomson Scientific commented, “This enhanced file extends the functionality, content breadth and performance, of  DWPI.”

DWPI is Thomson’s database resource for value-added patent information used worldwide by patent organisations and researchers.