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Thomson Scientific Broadens Chinese Patent Coverage in Derwent World Patents Index

New Patent Data Offers Comprehensive Coverage of English-translated Chinese Utility Model Registrations

Philadelphia, PA USA–London UK, November 7, 2007 — Thomson Scientific, part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC) and leading provider of information solutions to the worldwide research and business communities, has broadened its coverage of China's growing patent activity with the addition of English-translated Chinese Utility Model Registrations in Derwent World Patents Index® (DWPISM). Thomson Scientific is the first patent information provider to offer weekly comprehensive coverage of all Chinese Utility Model Registrations in English. Utility models are similar to patents, but require a less stringent review process and offer a shorter protection period. Like conventional patents, utility models reveal important new technology advances and are a significant part of any prior art search.

"As China's economy continues to grow rapidly and shifts from manufacturing to one that is more innovation-based, it is becoming a hotbed of patent activity," said David Brown, Executive Vice President, Thomson Scientific. "Thomson Scientific is pleased to be able to offer this critical patent data through our Derwent World Patents Index database, providing patent researchers with the most comprehensive view of global patent activity including China."

According to Thomson Scientific's World IP Today Global Patent Activity Report, published in April 2007, patent activity in China grew by 470 percent from 1997 to 2006, outpacing all other countries in terms of growth.

The Chinese Utility Model Registrations, beginning with records published on October 3, 2007, are initially available in Derwent World Patents Index First ViewSM (DWPI First ViewSM), the companion file to DWPI. Records in DWPI First View include human translation of the author's title, abstract and first claim. Each record is then reviewed by one of Thomson Scientific's expert analysts before it is uploaded into DWPI, where Chinese Utility Registration records have the same benefits that are available for all DWPI patent records, including an alerting abstract and manual coding.

DWPI is the world's most comprehensive database of value-added patent documents, and is available on the Dialog®, STN International and Questel•Orbit online services. For more information about DWPI, please visit thomsonreuters.com/products_services/legal/legal_products/
a-z/derwent_world_patents_index/.

About The Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com) is a global leader in providing essential electronic workflow solutions to business and professional customers. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to professionals in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, scientific research and healthcare. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC).

Thomson Scientific is a business of The Thomson Corporation. Its information solutions assist professionals at every stage of research and development—from discovery to analysis to product development and distribution. Thomson Scientific information solutions can be found at scientific.thomson.com.

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