Where Can You Find Patents Assigned to IG Farben and Their Successor Corporations?

The patents assigned to IG Farben, a defunct German chemical and pharmaceutical company, have a fascinating history. Many of these patents were indeed transferred to the successor corporations, such as Basf, Agfa, and Bayer. However, it is crucial to understand that these patents no longer have active restrictive licensing tools as they have long since expired.

Patent Databases and Search Capabilities

Unissued patents and those that have since expired can often be found in various patent offices. Some of these offices provide advanced search capabilities that allow you to search by assignee as well as by patent holder. By doing so, you can uncover the details of these historical patents.

Searching the USPTO and European Patent Offices

One of the most comprehensive databases to explore is the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Additionally, several European patent offices also provide extensive search functionalities. To maximize your search results, you can look under the 'Assignee' field in these databases. This search yields a wealth of information, including the companies that succeeded IG Farben.

Examples of Successor Corporations

A number of well-known corporations, including Agfa (which later became part of Agfa-Gevaert), BASF, Bayer, and Sanofi, hold these patents. These are the entities that emerged from the mergers and acquisitions following the dissolution of IG Farben. Despite this, IG Farben deliberately destroyed its own records to prevent them from falling into Allied hands. As a result, the patents are now located in the patent offices where they were originally filed.

How to Conduct Your Search

When searching for patents assigned to IG Farben and its successor corporations, remember to use both the 'Assignee' and 'Patent Holder' fields. This dual approach increases the chances of uncovering relevant information. For example, in some countries, IG Farben might be identified as the assignee, while in others, it might be listed as the patent holder.

Conclusion

To summarize, the patents assigned to IG Farben and transferred to its successor corporations can still be found in various patent offices. While these patents no longer function as restrictive licensing tools due to their expiration, they are still an important part of the history of innovation in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Utilizing the advanced search features provided by patent databases can help you to locate these historic patents.