Would you like a Patent Pal?

While checking his RSS feed figures, the IPKat recently came across a new useful tool for patent-types that appeared to be boosting his figures by virtue of it becoming popular for checking up on what the Kat is up to. It is in the form of a toolbar add-on for web browsers, called Patent Pal (downloadable from here). It apparently works with both IE and Firefox browsers. It is also, as far as the IPKat can tell, not 'malware' and is ad-free (for now at least).

Patent Pal has been created by Jay A. Wahlquist (right), a registered US patent attorney with the Minneapolis based firm of Fogg & Powers LLC. Jay practices in the areas of electrical and electronic technologies, and clearly knows a thing or two about computers.

The toolbar has various nifty little features, including a blog checking facility that can keep you up to date with many of the more popular patent-related IP blogs (including, of course, the IPKat). It also has plenty of other information about patent law, including links to where to find the patent law of many countries around the world.

The only downside the IPKat could see was the fact that the toolbar is very US-centric, with many links on it to things about US patent law and practice he would rather not have to know about (but nevertheless fears that he should). These can, however, be turned off. Jay also points out that he is happy to include additional links if you email him here.