Slidell, LA, January 2, 2003 – MESA, Ltd., founded in 1998 by noted engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur Bill Laletin, today announces the introduction of PatentMax®, a highly integrated Windows™-based software platform providing a suite of patent search, retrieval and document management functions. For the first time, both the text and page images of patents may be downloaded from both US and foreign patent databases as composite documents that may be viewed, saved and printed through an intuitive graphical user interface. A patent-pending Batch Mode Processor allows the user to designate and execute multiple operations with a single mouse-click. With an ROI payback period measured in minutes, PatentMax sets a new standard for power, productivity, ease-of-use and cost-effectiveness among all patent-search programs and services.

“For years, patent research meant making a trip to the USPTO library and then carrying home hundred of pounds of paper copies. With the arrival of online searching things got a bit easier, but it still was very labor intensive, since no single software tool provided all the features I needed,” said Mr. Laletin. “Out of pure frustration, I decided to create a comprehensive, but more efficient patent management program for my own use. The result is PatentMax.”

The PatentMax Search tool provides a complete range of search capabilities, from simple entry of keywords, inventor or assignee names, specific patent numbers, etc., to complex nested Boolean search strings. Entire lists of patent numbers, created in any Windows application, can be copied directly to the PatentMax Complex Search input box, and then immediately downloaded.

“I have already put PatentMax to extensive use in my own work”, remarked George Margolin, an inventor with dozens of patents, who is also a Director of the not for profit inventor support group, "www.Inventored.org". “PatentMax stands as the fastest, most comprehensive and easy-to-use program, for virtually automatic world wide patent research, that I have ever seen. You've got to try it to believe it, it's that good!"

All search results in PatentMax are displayed fifty per page in a feature-rich “Hit List” window that incorporates the Batch Mode Processor interface, allowing up to 150 separate operations to be automatically executed—in the background, while other work is being done—for the selected patents on the Hit List page. Individual or multiple patents (containing both the text and page images) may be quickly downloaded and displayed in either a single-screen or multiple-screen presentation format. Advanced zoom, rotate, pan, image enhancement and copy functions allow precise manipulation of the documents. A built-in patent email function facilitates document dissemination directly from each patent display screen.

The International Patent Search feature allows access to both U.S. and foreign databases, including WIPO, Europe, numerous individual European countries and Japan. A specialized search interface screen is provided for each foreign patent search. When necessary, automatic format conversion is applied to international patent files, so that the appearance of patent documents is always uniform and consistent, regardless of the source.

About MESA, Ltd.

MESA, Ltd., is a provider of breakthrough technology in patent search, retrieval, and document management software. Its PatentMax® application offers a complete range of search functions, text and image downloads, flexible image manipulation tools, a powerful Batch Mode Processor, and access to both U.S. and international patent databases—all in a single, cost-effective application designed for legal, business, scientific, corporate and educational users.

For more information, contact sales@patentmax.com or support@patentmax.com