Glossary of Search Terms
| A | B | C | D | E | F
| G | H | I | J | K | L | M
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| O | P | Q | R | S | T
| U | V | W | X | Y | Z
The And logical operator retrieves all records that contain all of the search terms, including double and multi-word marks. The OR logical operator is used in SELECT statements to create a set that contains at least one of the search terms listed (e.g., s image or photo)
The Basic Index is the index of subject words in a database, such as those in the title, abstract, or text of a record.
The BEGIN command allows us to access a database. Each database has a file number. To access a specific database, we enter the command BEGIN (abbreviated B) followed by the file number of the database to be searched. Databases and their file numbers are listed at http://library.dialog.com/bluesheets/. Dialog databases can also be searched as a group of up to 60 databases. Each BEGIN command we enter clears all sets we have created.
Bibliographic citation includes the title, inventor, date of publication, and patent assignee. The amount of information may vary according to the database.
Bluesheets identify specific information about each database on the Dialog system. The Dialog Bluesheet provides a description of the database, as well as search techniques you will use to search it. Click the title of the file you want to review the bluesheet.
Classic Dialog provides the fastest and most powerful way to search for information. The powerful, yet flexible, Dialog search systems allow instant retrieval of exactly the information you need in a text-based format.
Classification Codes (Class codes) refer to classes assigned to trademarks to categorize the marks into broad areas. The U.S. has one set of classification codes identified with the prefix (CL=). International class codes use the prefix (IC=).
The CURRENT command allows us to restrict a search to the most recent records in a file. It is appended to the BEGIN command: BEGIN 9 CURRENT. We can restrict to records added during the most current calendar year and the previous year, or to the current year and a specified number of years, up to five:
CURRENT restricts to current year plus one back year
CURRENT1 restricts to current year plus one back year
CURRENT2 restricts to current year plus two back years
CURRENT3 restricts to current year plus three back years
CURRENT4 restricts to current year plus four back years
CURRENT5 restricts to current year plus five back years
A database is a collection of related information stored electronically. The database includes the documents, or records, plus its associated indexes.
Subject descriptors, or subject headings, are terms that express the main topics found in an article. Descriptors are usually assigned by a person who reads the article. Searching on descriptor terms helps eliminate records that may have the search terms, but are not really about the topic.
DialogWeb provides easy access to the full content (over 450 databases), power, and precision of Dialog through a Web browser. There are two search modes available in DialogWeb: (1) Guided Search, and (2) Command Search. The online courses use the Command Search interface and Dialog commands. If you are also interested in trying the Guided Search, review the DialogWeb Guided Search Tutorial.
Special features of DialogWeb include:
- A flexible and easy-to-use Guided Search mode that does not require knowledge of the Dialog command language
- databases selection tools to help pinpoint the right database for a search
- Integrated database descriptions, pricing information, and other search assistance
- Search results available in HTML or text formats
- A choice of displaying or printing records or sending search results via email, fax, or postal delivery
DIALINDEX is a master index to most of the Dialog databases. In DIALINDEX we can compare the number of records retrieved from a group of databases. DIALINDEX is particularly useful when we do not know which databases to search, when the topic is not well-known, or when we want to do a comprehensive search and cover everything on a topic.
Dialog Alertsis a current awareness service that is available for most regularly updated databases. Once you have set up an Alert, Dialog automatically runs the search whenever new records are added to the database and sends the results to you electronically (via fax or e-mail) or by first class mail.
Display Codes are two-letter codes (OW) enabling a specific part of the record to be displayed in the TYPE command (e.g., OW to retrieve the owner's name or ST to retrieve the legal status). By using display codes, you can customize the search output.
The Domain Names (File 225) database is a centralized source containing current and historic ownership records of Internet domain names. Dialog the only source for fully indexed, current domain names information (WhoIs), and includes the only archive of historical (WhoWas) information on domain names. Domain Names can be used independently or with the Trademarks OneSearch® category.
The EXPAND command allows us to see how a term is entered in the index of a database. In Additional Indexes the names and numbers must be entered exactly the way they appear in the database index. The EXPAND command (abbreviated E) is used to verify the spelling, punctuation, and spacing of names and to view alphabetically similar entries of those names. The EXPAND command displays a list of terms with the number of unique records containing each term. EXPAND displays the first 50 entries in the index. We can use the scroll bar to view all 50 entries.
A field is a distinct part or section of a record. Typical fields in patent files include patent number, inventor (author), application number, and patent issue date. Check the Bluesheet since fields vary according to the database.
Formats determine the amount of information displayed for each record. The Format list box lists the basic format options. The format we select is used for the records retrieved when we click Display in the Search History table. The basic format options for trademark databases are: Short, Medium, Long, and Full.
The Goods and Services field (GS=, /GS) in a trademark record contains a description of the products and/or services that a mark represents or is intended to represent. This description is provided by the applicant. The descriptions appear in a file's native language (e.g., TRADEMARKSCAN-France has Goods/Services listed in French).
International Classification Codes (IC=) represent broad groups of goods or services used to classify trademark registrations. TRADEMARKSCAN records contain U.S. Class Codes and International Class Codes, so either one can be used for searching. More than one class code is often assigned to one trademark. They are listed as three-digit numeric codes (e.g., 006 for Metal Goods). The class descriptions are included as part of each record, (e.g., IC=015 (Musical Instruments)).
Intent to Use is a "good faith" intention to commence use of a trademark at a future date. The applicant's good faith will be determined by circumstances surrounding the filing of the application and steps taken by the applicant to bring the product or service to market.
Legal Status pertains to the various legal actions taken by a Trademark Office in regard to a trademark, including publication, changes in owners, expirations, oppositions, etc.
Logical operators define the logical relationships among the terms being searched. Three kinds of logical relationships are defined on Dialog: OR, AND, and NOT. Logical operators are also known as Boolean operators.
The LOGOFF command ends our search activities for a given session. We may also use several shorter words to disconnect, including BYE, LOG, OFF, QUIT, or STOP. When we enter LOGOFF, Dialog displays estimated costs for the search session, then disconnects us from the Dialog system. When we logoff, all of the sets created are erased.
OneSearch allows us to conduct a full search of a collection of related databases (up to 60), browse the indexes, or display records. We can search using OneSearch categories or mix OneSearch categories and file numbers (e.g., b businessnews, 471).
A pending trademark is one where the application has been filed and is waiting to be examined.
Priority Application - When an inventor applies for a patent in several countries, the first application (the one with the earliest date, regardless of the country in which it was filed), is the priority application. The date of the first application can be claimed as a priority only if subsequent applications are filed within one year of that application.
Proximity connectors determine the distance between terms. The (N) connector requires that terms be adjacent but in any order (e.g., ss optic(n)fiber). The (W) connector requires that terms be adjacent to each other and in the order specified (e.g., s san(w)francisco). The (#W) or (#N) refers to the maximum number of words between two terms (e.g., ss back(2w)basics).
A record is a generic term for the discrete items in a database. Depending on the database, a record may be a news article, company profile, patent, numeric data, or other type of document. In a full-text database like U.S. Patents Fulltext, a typical record will be an entire patent.
The Rotated Index allows you to search for terms in any part of the trademark. They can be whole words, prefixes, suffixes, and mid-word strings.
The SELECT command, abbreviated S, retrieves records containing the specified search terms and stores them in a numbered set. S1 is the Set number that Dialog assigns to the first set of records retrieved. The number of records in the database containing the search terms appears under the column Items.
SELECT STEPS searches for terms and places each term in a separate set. It is then easy to view or combine individual sets with additional search terms.
Stop words are nine non-searchable words on the Dialog system. They include: AN, AND, BY, FOR, FROM, OF, THE, TO, WITH. These words should not be included in a subject search. Although it is not recommended, stop words can be searched by putting quotation marks around the stop word (e.g., "AND" "OR").
TRADEMARKSCAN®–International Register (File 671) provides information on over 390,000 Madrid Agreement and Madrid Protocol trademarks registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization. Includes all active records; inactive records from January 1, 1989, onward.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Austria (File 662) includes on over 140,000 trademark registrations filed with Oesterreichisches Patentamt. Includes all active records; inactive records from January 1, 1989, onward.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Benelux (File 658) provides information on over 480,000 trademark applications and registrations filed with Benelux-Merkenbureau. Over 290,000 of these records are International Register (Madrid Agreement) trademark registrations requesting protection in Benelux. Includes all active records; inactive records from January 1, 1989, onward.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Canada (File 127) includes information on all active trademarks, registrations, and applications filed with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). Pending applications include both actual and proposed use.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Community Trademarks (File 227) includes information on over 70,000 trademark applications and registrations filed with the Office of Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM). Includes all active records. See Bluesheet for File 227 for additional information on searching the database.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Czech Republic (File 680) provides information on over 127,000 trademarks filed in the Czech Republic. Includes all active amd inactive records
TRADEMARKSCAN–Denmark (File 659) provides information on over 229,000 trademark applications and registrations filed with Patentdirektoratet. File also contains International Register (Madrid Protocol) trademark registrations requesting protection in Denmark. Includes all active records; inactive records from January 1, 1992, onward.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Finland (File 679) provides information on over 110,000 valid applications and registrations published in the Tavaramerkkilehti - Varumarkestidning since 1891. National unpublished applications and inactive unpublished and published trademarks since 1995.
TRADEMARKSCAN–France (File 657) includes information on over 1,150,000 trademark applications and registrations filed with Institut National de la Propriete Industrielle. Over 250,000 of these records are International Register (Madrid Agreement) trademark registrations requesting protection in France. Includes all active records; inactive records from January 1, 1989, onward.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Hungary (File 681) provides information on over 62,000 trademarks filed in Hungary. Includes all active and inactive records.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Italy (File 673) contains information on more than 750,000 trademark applications and registrations filed with Ufficio Italiano Brevetti e marchi. Over 275,000 of these records are International Register (Madrid Agreement) trademark registrations requesting protection in Italy.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Japan (File 669) principally serves as a preliminary trademark screening tool for checking on the availability of new product and service names.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Liechtenstein (File 677) provides information on over 198,000 trademark registrations filed with Amt fur Volkswirtschaft Geistiges Eigentum. Includes all active records; inactive records from January 1, 1989 onward.TRADEMARKSCAN–Monaco (File 663) provides information on over 100,000 trademark registrations filed with Propriété Industrielle Littéraire et Artistique. Includes all active records; inactive records from January 1, 1989 onward.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Norway (File 678) provides information on more than 140,000 valid applications and registrations published in the Norsk Tidende for det Industrielle Rettsvern since 1911. National unpublished applications. Inactive unpublished and published trademarks since 1990.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Poland (File 682) provides information on over 199,000 trademark applications and registrations filed in Poland. Includes all active and inactive records.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Spain (File 228) contains information on more than 1,100,000 trademarks filed at the Oficina Española de Patentas y Marcas. Over 240,000 of these records are International Register (Madrid Agreement and Madrid Protocol) trademark registrations requesting protection in Spain. Includes all active records; inactive records from January 1, 1995 onward.)
TRADEMARKSCAN–Sweden (File 675) provides information on over 220,000 Swedish trademarks, including valid applications and registrations published in the Svensk Varumarkestidning since 1885. The file includes national unpublished applications and inactive unpublished and published trademarks since 1987. Also included are images for all unpublished trademarks and inactive trademark trademarks except for word marks and unpublished applications.
TRADEMARKSCAN–Switzerland (File 661) provides information on over 325,000 trademark applications and registrations filed with Bundesamt fur geistiges Eigentum. Over 260,000 of these records are International Register (Madrid Agreement) trademark registrations requesting protection in Switzerland. Includes all active records; inactive records from January 1, 1989, onward.
TRADEMARKSCAN–U.K. (File 126) includes information on over 675,000 trademark applications and registrations filed with The Trade Marks Branch of The Patent Office of the United Kingdom. File also contains International Register (Madrid Protocol) trademark registrations requesting protection in the United Kingdom. Includes all active records; inactive records from January 1, 1989, onward.
TRADEMARKSCAN–U.S. Federal® (File 226) is a directory of all active registered trademarks, service marks, and applications for registration filed at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The database also includes all inactive trademarks since 1984. Pending applications include both actual-use and intent-to-use applications.
TRADEMARKSCAN–U.S. State database contains information on trademarks registered with the Secretary of State of all 50 U.S. states and in Puerto Rico. Corporate name registrations (e.g., records of incorporation) are not included. Tradenames, assumed names, and fictitious names are also not generally included, but may be identified for some states.
Each record contains: the trademark text, U.S. and international classification numbers, the owner's name(s), a description of the goods or services, and an image, if available. The file is updated twice a week.
Truncation is used to search for words that may have different endings. Place a question mark (?) at the end of each word (e.g., s play? finds play, plays, player, players, playing).
U.S. Classification Text and Codes (CL=) represent broad groups of goods or services used to classify trademark registrations. Most states in the United States use the U.S. classification system; however, some use the international classification system, and a few use neither system. Class codes are listed as three-digit numeric codes (e.g., 001 for chemicals). The classification text or descriptions are included as part of each record (e.g., CL=013 (Hardware, Plumbing, and Steam-fitting Supplies)). These classifications are different from the international classifications.
User-defined formats allow you to specify exactly the information you see in your output. Use the two-letter display codes listed on the Bluesheet to create your own formats (e.g., t s1/ow,st,tx/1-5).
