From the blog: > It’s unclear what sampling of patent applications they’re actually providing; I wish they were more transparent about what data they’re providing.<p>Did you download the data from here?: <a href="http://www.google.com/googlebooks/uspto-patents.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.google.com/googlebooks/uspto-patents.html</a><p>If so, how much clearer do you need it to be?:<p>> Patent Application Publication Full Text (2001 – present)<p>It is applications that were published from 2001 to present. Prior to 2001 applications were not published, that is why it begins in 2001.