WIPO to set up worldwide patent database

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has signed a major contract with a consortium of IT vendors to supply a database system to handle worldwide patent applications.

The project known as the IMPACT (Information Management for the Patent Cooperation Treaty) aims to automate patent processing which has been straining under increasing numbers of applications over the last two decades.

The number of patents applied for on an international level has grown from 2,600 in 1979 to 70,000 last year.

The WIPO claims IMPACT is the largest single IT project ever undertaken within the organisation. It hopes the system will reduce costs for patent applicants and increase information to all users.

The consortium that will service the contract is made up of Cap Gemini in France, Hewlett-Packard in Switzerland and Xerox Professional Services (XPS), based in the UK.