Canadian Patents Database

Help: FAQ

Here is a list of questions visitors to the Canadian Patent Database frequently ask, along with their answers. This is a good place to check for answers before sending an e-mail to cipo.contact@ic.gc.ca.

This FAQ covers questions about:

The CIPO Canadian Patent Database

• What information is offered by the CIPO Canadian Patent Database?
• What is your policy on the management of the CIPO Canadian Patent Database access log?
• What is a laid-open application?

• I did a search that resulted in over 300 hits. The result lists the 50 most relevant ones. How do I view the rest?

• How do I view the results of my search?
• How do I view the patent document images?
• When I'm viewing a patent image, how do I get back to my "Search Results" screen?
• How do I print the details of a patent document I'm viewing?
• How do I order copies of patent documents?

Questions about the CIPO Canadian Patent Database

For patent documents that are either laid-open applications or are patents granted since August 15, 1978, the CIPO Canadian Patent Database contains bibliographic data, textual data (titles, abstracts and claims) and image data.

For patents granted prior to August 15, 1978, the CIPO Canadian Patent Database contains bibliographic data, the text of titles only (no text of abstracts and claims) and image data.

I am concerned that I may reveal confidential design information with my searches. What is your policy on the management of the CIPO Canadian Patent Database access log?

The communications between CIPO Canadian Patent Database and the users of the CIPO Canadian Patent Database site are not of a confidential nature. Therefore, any communications that you wish to remain confidential, whether they are search queries, Canadian Patent Database Feedback entries, e-mail, or any other communications, should not be relayed to the CIPO Canadian Patent Database.

What is a laid-open application?

A laid-open application is an application that has been made available for public viewing but has not yet been granted.

Questions about Searching

When you compose a search, set the "Maximum Results" to 500 and click on the "Submit Query" button.

If your search results in a long list of hits, try to narrow down your search by including more search terms or by indicating a time period.

Questions about Search Results

From the "Search Results" Screen, you can view the details of an individual patent document (including bibliographic information, abstract, and claim) by clicking on the patent document number.

How do I view the patent document images?

You can view the image of a patent document by clicking on "View Image" on the detailed view. The patent document image sections, cover page, abstract, disclosures, drawings, and claims are stored as separate images. To view them all, you must select each one individually. On most browsers, each section will be displayed in a separate browser window, so that all four sections can be viewed simultaneously.

When I'm viewing a patent image, how do I get back to my "Search Results" screen?

On most browsers, the patent image is launched into a new browser window. This allows several patent document images to be viewed at once; however, the "Back" button for each new window has a separate history that may not go back to the "Search Results." Use the "Back" button from the original "Detailed View" window to get back to the results list.

How do I print the details of a patent document I'm viewing?

Most browsers allow you to print the page you are viewing. Choose "Print" from the "File" menu on the browser you are using. The best way to print patent images is to download the images in Adobe Acrobat^TM (PDF) format, and to print offline.

How do I order copies of patent documents?

You can send an e-mail to cipo.contact@ic.gc.ca