Office of Patent Classification

The Office of Patent Classification maintains the patent classification systems.

Organization and Staff

•  Classification Divisions and Contact Numbers

Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)

The Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) effort is a joint partnership between the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the European Patent Office (EPO) where the Offices have agreed to harmonize their existing classification systems (European Classification (ECLA) and United States Patent Classification (USPC) respectively) and migrate towards a common classification scheme. 

I don’t know anything about CPC.  Where do I start?

• Use the USPTO and EPO bi-lateral Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) informational site on WWW
• Start browsing the CPC scheme on www.uspto.gov

I know a USPC classification and I want to find a relevant CPC. What do I do?

• Use the Classification Search Page to look up a Statistical Mapping from USPC to CPC.

I know a CPC group symbol (e.g., B02C 19/0081) and I want to see the group title, browse the scheme or read its definition. How do I do this?

• Use the Classification Search Page to look up a CPC Scheme or Definition by CPC Symbol

I want to download CPC scheme and definition source files (e.g., XML, PDF); and CPC to IPC concordance files. How do I do this?

• Use the CPC Deliverables page  on the Cooperative Patent Classification bi-lateral Web site to download this information.

United States Patent Classification (USPC) Resources

I don’t know anything about USPC.  Where do I start?

• Use the Index to USPC to browse an alphabetical listing of concepts and access relevant USPC classification schedules.
• Use the Seven Step Strategy suggested by the Patent and Trademark Resource Center to find relevant classifications.
• Special guides to USPC and IPC
  • Environmentally Sound Technologies (EST) Concordance
• Browse a listing of USPC Class numbers and titles
• Consolidated Glossary of USPC Terms used in USPC definitions
• Additional guides
  • Overview of the Classification System [PDF]
  • Examiner's Handbook
  • Handbook of Classification [PDF]

I know a USPC classification symbol (e.g., Class 345 or Class/Subclass 345/418) and I want to:

• browse the USPC classification schedule or USPC classification definition
  •    Use the Classification Search Page to look up a USPC schedule or definition by USPC symbol
    
• find a relevant CPC
  • Look up a Statistical Mapping from USPC to CPC by using the Classification Search Page to, or
• find a relevant International Patent Classification (IPC) 
  • Look up a Mapping from USPC to IPC by using the Classification Search Page 
  • USPC-to-IPC Reverse Concordance 

Documents and Reports Related to the USPC Manual of Classification

• Classes Within the U.S. Classification System (Arranged by Related Subjects) [PDF]
• Classes Arranged in Alphabetical Order [PDF]
• Consolidated Glossary of USPC Terms

I want to understand more about how USPC has changed over time

A Classification Order documents changes to the  UPSC which have occurred while maintaining the system over time.  A Classification Order identifies Reclassification Project team members, USPC classifications abolished, USPC classifications established, new classification definitions and changes to existing classification definitions.

• Classification Under Reclass [PDF]
• Classes in the U.S. Patent Classification System - Dates Established
• Use the Classification Orders
• Classification Order Index (COI)
• Classification Orders Archival Report [PDF]

Relationships between classifications and organizations

• Classes Arranged by Art Unit (CAAU)
• Classes Arranged Numerically With Art Unit and Search Room Locations (CAN)

Lists of withdrawn USPTO Patent Publications

• All Withdrawn PGPubs
• All Withdrawn PGPubs, Printable File [PDF]
• List of withdrawn patent numbers

International Classification Resources

• International Classification Resources (e.g., World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO))

Related Patent Links

• Office of Patent Information Management
•  Patents Main Page

 

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