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countries in which you would like to secureprotection. A list of URLs and a directory ofnational and regional intellectual property officesare available from WIPO.Where can I find patentinformation?To assist people in searching patent applicationsand granted patents, some national or regionalpatent offices provide free-of-charge electronicdatabases via the Internet. A list of URLs ofsuch databases is available from WIPO, whichalso provides access, in image format, to acomprehensive electronic database, coveringpublished international patent applications filedunder the PCT system from 1978 to the presentday. In addition, WIPO provides access to fullysearchable text of descriptions and claims for PCTInternational Applications filed since July 1998.Where web-based databases are not available,patent information may be found in paperdocuments, on microfilms or CD-ROMs, or at thenational or regional patent offices. SearchableInternet patent databases have significantlyfacilitated access to patent information. However,given the complexity of patent documents andthe technical and legal skills required to use them,it is advisable to contact a professional patentattorney to execute a high-quality patent search.WIPO Patent Information Services (WPIS) providesfree-of-charge services for users in developingcountries who wish to obtain technical searchresults in relation to their inventions.How can I find the patent laws ofvarious countries?The Collection of Laws for Electronic Access (CLEA)provides easy access to intellectual propertylegislation from a wide range of countries andregions, as well as to treaties on intellectualproperty administered by WIPO. Many nationalor regional patent offices provide informationconcerning national or regional legislation on theirwebsites. WIPO makes available a list of URLs ofnational and regional intellectual property offices.Can I obtain a patent for mysoftware-related invention?Procedural and substantive requirements for thegranting of patents differ from one country orregion to the next. In particular, practices and caselaw regarding the patentability of software-relatedinventions vary significantly across countries. Forexample, in some countries, inventions withinthe meaning of patent law must have a technicalcharacter, and software as such is not considered apatentable invention; in other countries, however,such requirements do not exist, and thus softwareis generally patentable subject matter.It is therefore recommended that you consult apracticing lawyer who specializes in intellectualproperty or the IP offices of countries in whichyou wish to obtain protection. WIPO makesavailable a list of URLs and a directory of nationaland regional intellectual property offices. Onthe other hand, computer programs may beprotected under copyright. However, accordingto a well-established principle, copyrightprotection extends only to expressions, not toideas, procedures, methods of operation, ormathematical concepts as such.Can I discuss the details of myinvention with a potential investorbefore filing a patent application?It is important to file a patent application beforeyou publicly disclose the details of your invention.In general, any invention that is made publicbefore an application has been filed would beconsidered prior art. (Although the definition ofthis term is not unified at the international level,in many countries, it means any information thathas been made available to the public anywherein the world, by written or oral disclosure.) Incountries that apply the foregoing definition ofprior art, the applicant’s public disclosure of theinvention before filing a patent application would118U.S. Commercial Service • A Basic Guide to Exporting