Notice concerning the database for ownership information

This is a follow-up to the Canadian Patent Office Record notice published on July 14,1998, regarding the Person/Company entity (PERC), a Techsource database for ownership information. Each person or company name contained in the database is assigned an identifier number, similar to the agent registration number. This allows the Office to identify and enter ownership information by simply entering a number corresponding to the owner and/or inventor's name, and significantly reduces both the need for data entry and the error rate.

In accordance with the PCT formats, ownership information is entered in upper case characters, including the name of individuals and trade names. Consequently, the information in the Patent Office databases and outgoing correspondence will appear in upper case characters. It is desirable that the individual's name be submitted in the petition or any other documents by identifying the surname first, in upper case characters, followed by the first name in mixed characters. This will assist the Patent Office in determining the order.

For example:
"SMITH, JOSEPH" - the surname first, immediately followed by a comma and the first name.
"EDWIN COOPER, INC."- an individual's name used as a company name.

Special characters will not be used, such as in "SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A."; "MACDONALD ENGINEERING COMPANY" and "MCPHAR GEOPHYSICS LIMITED".

The Patent Office will not correct minor errors or discrepancies in punctuation or in the company's abbreviation; e.g. Co. for Company; Inc. for Incorporated; Ltd. for Limited; and S.A. for Société Anonyme; "DRUG INNOVATION & DESIGN, INC." or "DRUG INNOVATION AND DESIGN, INCORPORATED".