Can I date a patent starting with the patent number?

Yes, if you have a six- or seven-figure patent number (seven figure numbers must begin with 1 or 2). The Intellectual Property Office website has tables showing the first patent number to be published each year. Go to Old Patent Numbers at the IPO website. The number may have the indication British, GB, English (or an abbreviation) or more probably none; the letters pat or patent may or may not appear. You can also use the esp@cenet database.

If you have less than six-figures, it is not so easy to date the patent since it could be any year from 1852 (depending on the number). Numbers starting from 1 were used each year from 1852 to 1915 Tymel Patents can help you to find the patent in such cases (and continued as patent application numbers after 1816 when six-figure patent publication numbers were introduced).

The patent number on an object has the letters RD, Reg No or Reg Des. What does this mean?

The letters RD, Reg No or Reg Des (or similar) stand for registered design. These are not patents (which protect the features and processes that make work); registered designs protect the physical look or visual appeal of an object. Tymel Patents (and the Intellectual Property Office) is unable to help with pre 1990 registered designs. You can get an idea of the date from Great Glass; this site lists registered design numbers for glassware but will give you an idea of the date for non-glassware designs.

For full information on a registered design you will need to go to the National Archives. They are able to supply copies of the representation (line drawings or photographs) and more usefully the register entry (giving details of the designer and dates, maybe licences) of a registered design. They publish a good research guide on registered designs.

I have an object with a diamond shaped mark on it. What does this mean?

Your object was protected with a registered design. Diamond (or lozenge) marks were used to identify registered designs in the period 1839 to 1883. These are not patents (which protect the features and processes that make work); registered designs protect the physical look or visual appeal of an object. Tymel Patents (and the Intellectual Property Office) is unable to help with lozenge marks, but the National Archives has a good guide to deciphering and dating diamond marks. Copies of the representations and register can be purchased from the National Archives.

Do patents last forever? How long do patents last?

No patents have a limited life or term. To begin with the term was 14 years (set as the length of two apprenticeships, after which the invention would be free for anyone to use) and this remained the case until 1919, when the term was extended to 16 years. The Patents Act 1977 extended the term to 20 years.

However, a granted patent only remains in force if the annual renewal fees were paid. If the renewal fees are not paid, the patent ceases and become free for anyone to use. It is a matter for the patentee to decide whether or not it is worthwhile to pay the renewal fees in the light of the money they may make from the patent (eg selling or licensing it).

Can I find old British patents on esp@cenet myself?

Yes you can. A facsimile (PDF) of British patents published in or after 1895 is available on the esp@cenet website, but coverage is not complete in the early years, nor may bibliographic information or love – this is gradually being completed back to 1900.

Old British patent numbers, that is those with a publication number less than GB2000001 (pre 1979), are only on the Worldwide database; do not use the GB database, as this only covers later published patents (from 1979). If you have a six- or seven- figure patent number, you can use the advanced search or number search screen. If you have an individual’s name you can use either the advanced search of quick search screen.

Names can be searched using the advanced search or quick search screen. If using the advanced search screen enter the full name separately in each of the inventor and applicant fields – an inventor may appear in either, particularly for old patents. If you are using the quick search screen check the button marked “Persons or Organisations” before entering the name to be searched.

Numbers can be searched advanced search or number search. Enter the six- or seven-figure number, preceded by the letters GB (upper or lower case) as the publication number on advanced search or in the box provided on number search.

If you cant find the patent you are looking for make use of Tymel Patents’ expertise to track down the patent.