Patent classification

Patent classification is a powerful and often underused tool in professional patent searching. This course introduces the principles behind classification systems such as IPC and CPC, and explains how they differ fundamentally from text-based searching.

Participants learn how classifications group inventions by technical concepts rather than words, making searches more precise, language-neutral and strategically structured. The course explores the advantages and limitations of classification systems, the differences between national and international schemes, and practical methods for selecting and applying classification symbols effectively.

By understanding how and why patents are classified, searchers can broaden, refine and strengthen their search strategies — improving results for patentability, freedom-to-operate and state-of-the-art analyses.

Target Audience

This module is designed for patent information specialists with one year or less of experience in conducting novelty or patentability searches. It is particularly suited for individuals who have recently entered the profession.

Course Content

This module will cover the following topics:

Introduction

Fundamental differences between classification and indexing as a retrieval strategy
The need of a classification scheme to search for concepts rather than words
National patent classifications (mostly historical)
International patent classification tools (current situation)

IPC theory and practice

IPC prior to 2006
The IPC reform process; the new IPC launch and revision procedures
Source searchable using the IPC
Detailed consideration of the IPC notation and its proper usage
Methods for identifying appropriate IPC marks for search

CPC theory and practice

Development and launch of CPC; impact on DocDB and commercial databases
Unique features of the CPC notation (short review)
Methods for identifying appropriate CPC marks for search
Revision procedures for the CPC
CPC section Y

Study Load

Module 1,2 and 3 are concluded with a written exam (2.5 hrs)

Preparation

Students should know the information sources that are available to them, which enable searching by IPC and/or CPC to be carried out. This should include any sources which are available but which they have not yet used in their work. For those students which have already included classification in their search strategies, it would be helpful to be able to describe any specific difficulties and/or advantages which they have experienced.