TECHSOURCE: a project to automate the patent operations of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office

This article describes the 10-year project to automate the patent operations of CIPO. It covers the background to the project, including project costs, contract coverage and the functions the system is to perform. This is followed by a description of the system from a number of viewpoints. Certain 'human factors' involved with the project are described and the current status of the project and its implementation schedule are outlined. The article finishes with a look at some of the lessons learned during the course of the project.