• Why was this database developed and by whom?
• How is this collection different than the one at the United States Patent and Trademark Office?
• What are the criteria for including patent records in this collection? How do you determine these patents were sponsored by DOE?
• How many patents are in this collection? Does the collection include all of DOE’s patents?
• What time frame is covered by DOepatents?
• How often is this collection and Web site updated?
• Does the U.S. Government have exclusive rights to these inventions?
• What is OSTI?
• Where can I find information about doing business with DOE?
• How can I find additional information on the patenting process?
• Where can I find patents that are not related to DOE?

To see Frequently Asked Questions about OSTI, visit http://www.osti.gov/faq/index.

Why was this database developed and by whom? Top
DOepatents was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Scientific and Technical Information to demonstrate the Department’s contribution to scientific progress in the physical sciences and other disciplines.

How is this collection different than the one at the United States Patent and Trademark Office? Top
This collection includes only patents sponsored by DOE through a grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or similar type of funding mechanism.

What are the criteria for including patent records in this collection? How do you determine these patents were sponsored by DOE? Top
DOE sponsorship is determined by examining details of each record, including the research organizations involved, sponsoring organizations, patent assignees and contract numbers.

How many patents are in this collection? Does the collection include all of DOE’s patents? Top
This collection is growing as we continue to identify historic DOE patents, and to add ones recently issued. Currently, there are more than 20,000 searchable patent records here.

What time frame is covered by DOepatents? Top
This collection demonstrates the Department's considerable contribution to scientific progress from the 1940’s to today.

How often is this collection and Web site updated? Top
This collection is updated quarterly with new patent records. The Web site is updated on a regular basis with news and information about significant and recent inventions.

Does the U.S. Government have exclusive rights to these inventions? Top
Some of these inventions are government-owned. Many are owned by other research organizations or partners. Rights information is provided in the assignee field.

What is OSTI? Top
The Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program within the Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. Since 1947, OSTI and its early predecessors have been nationally recognized for contributions to the sharing and exchange of science information. Please see About OSTI for additional information.

Where can I find information about doing business with DOE? Top
You can find information about doing business with DOE by visiting this Web site: http://management.energy.gov/business_DOE.htm.

How can I find additional information on the patenting process? Top
For information on the patenting process, please visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) at www.uspto.gov.

Where can I find patents that are not related to DOE? Top
USPTO maintains a searchable database of patent full text from 1976 forward, and full-page patent images from 1790 forward.