Philadelphia, PA USA-London UK - 03/01/2005 - Today, the Thomson Scientific unit of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC) announced that it has published a summary of major recent patenting developments in Europe, the US, Japan and India. The 2005 Patent Focus Report reviews significant news and legislation from 2004, and takes a look at what events and initiative may impact the world of patents in 2005. The report was written by Joff Wild, journalist and editor of Intellectual Asset Management magazine.

“For patent owners operating in jurisdictions covered by the Trilateral Authorities—the European Patent Office, the Japanese Patent Office, and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)—2004 was a busy year,” said Brian Tyler, executive vice president of corporate markets, Thomson Scientific. “In order to protect their interests, businesses need to gain a better understanding of intellectual property rights, and keep abreast of the latest regulations. The Patent Focus Report will help them to do this, with summaries of recent legislation and potentially contentious issues.”

Among other topics, coverage of the Patent Focus Report includes:

• Alain Pompidou assuming the presidency of the European Patent Office, and the experience andinnovations he will bring to the office
• the European Patent Litigation Agreement, which would create a European Patent Court to hear cases concerning actual or threatened infringements
• moves in Japan dealing with compensating employees for their contribution to the development of patented products, and shortening the patent examination process
• fee increases for the USPTO, and the US courts ruling that defendants in infringement cases can invoke attorney-client privilege
• amendment to the Indian Patents Act that are predicted to drive industrial change and foreign investment

You can read and download the full report free at scientific.thomson.com/newsletter.

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, scientific, healthcare and media markets, powered by the world’s most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people in 93 countries. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TRI); Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: TRI); London Stock Exchange (LSE: TRIL); and Nasdaq (NASDAQ: TRIN). For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.