Major patent classifications in the world

In a previous article, I discussed the advantages and drawbacks of incorporating patent classifications into research grant applications. This week, we delved into the primary patent classifications "in use" today. While the first patent system in the world (i.e. Italy) traces back to as early as 1421 when the Republic of Florence granted the first patent to Filippo Brunelleschi, patent classification is a relatively recent development. However, its necessity becomes apparent as the number of patents continues to grow. The core objective of a patent system is to disseminate and collectively enhance information in the world; it becomes challenging when this wealth of information is no longer easily accessible with this rapid growth. National patent classification systems function effectively within individual countries, but the "worldwide novelty" requirement for patentability demands the establishment of an international patent classification system.

The most widely recognized international system for patent classification is the International Patent Classification (IPC). It was first introduced in 1954 and has undergone multiple revisions, with its current simplified form in 2011. Currently, the IPC is managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Another widely-used classification system is the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC), which can arguably be traced back to its "Germanic" roots in 1877. Over time, it has seen several reincarnations, culminating in its current form in 2010; when it is jointly managed by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In addition to IPC and CPC, several other international classification systems have evolved; the attached table summarizes these systems, providing details on their divisions, applications, and revision frequencies.

When selecting the patent classification to include in a research grant application, the options typically narrow down to the IPC or the CPC. This decision depends on the desired level of classification granularity and the specific goals for introducing this additional classification. It's worth noting that both the IPC and CPC are readily accessible through the current patent database, www.lens.org, which is utilized by the Malaysia Ministry of Education grant application system. (For those seeking additional information about patent classifications, the most comprehensive source is a series of webinars on this topic organized by the Patent Information User Group (www.piug.org).

Please send your comments or suggestions about this article to me at [email protected]

P.S. Based on the received comments, my next article is comparing the keywords-based vs. patent classification-based search techniques.