The Patent Documentation Group (PDG)

The PDG was founded in 1957 by thirteen European chemical and oil companies, with the main aim of abstracting patent documents and searching for patent families. During the 1960s the group became engaged in other activities, notably exchanging views on patent information management matters and testing new systems for polymer patents. In 1969 the Group was reorganised with a permanent secretary in Basel, and objectives and activities fixed by statutes. In the early 1970s, due to the development of Derwent's abstract services, the PDG discontinued its abstracting work, and efforts were concentrated on Working Groups studying matters such as networks and online retrieval, microfilm equipment, and developments in national and international patent laws. In 1984 the statutes were changed to allow 'non-chemical' companies to become members, and in 1985 membership increased to 23 companies covering five countries.