[ “HOW TO” Series No.

2 ]
HOW TO USE THE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION IN CONDUCTING AN EFFECTIVE
PATENT SEARCH

THE INTERNATIONAL PATENT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

The international patent classification (IPC) is a hierarchical system in which the whole area of
technology is divided into a range of sections, classes, subclasses and groups. It is an instrument for
the orderly arrangement of patent documents in order to effectively search and retrieve the
technological and legal information contained in patent documents. It is also the basis for
investigating the state of the art in given fields of technology, and for the preparation of industrial
property statistics.

Fig. 1 - Sample of a Bibliographic Page of a Philippine Patent Document

[19] Intellectual Property Office [11] No.:1-1996-54964

BUREAU OF PATENTS [45] Issued Date: September 14, 2001

International
Patent
[21] Application/Serial No.: 54964 [51] IPC: A23G 9/02, 9/26, 9/00 Classification
[22] Filing Date:December 6, 1996

[30] Priority: [58] Field of Search:

EPO Appln. No.:95203450.2 A23G 9/02, 9/26, 9/00
Date Filed:December 12, 1995
[56] Reference(s) Cited/Considered:
[71] Applicant/Assignee: None
Nestec S.A., Vevey, Switzerland
[74] Representative(s):
[72] Inventor(s): Messrs. Siguion Reyna, et. al.
Ginette Callens, P.O. Box 760
Philip Igor Cathernaut, Makati City
both of beauviais, France

[54] Title:
Frozen Confectionary Containing Granulates For Efferevescence Upon Consumption

[57] Abstract:

US Pat. No. 5,783,239 issued on July 21, 1998

No. of Claiom(s):33 Allowance of the above-identified Patent Application is hereby
recommended, it having complied with the requirements of the
Drawing(s):4 sheet(s) Patent Law.

Specification and Claim(s):18 IRMA F. DIAZ

Patent Examiner
Abstract/Claim:92 words MARILOU B. ENCARNACION
Asst. Division Chief

Approved:
To be published in O.G. Fig. 1 & Abstract EPIFANIO M. EVASCO
Director of Patents

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COMPLETE CLASSIFICATION SYMBOL
A complete classification symbol comprises the combined symbols representing the section, class,
subclass and main group or subgroup.

Example: A 01 B 1/00 and A 01 B 1/24

1/00 Main Group

A 01 B 1/24 Subgroup
Section Group
Class
Subclass

EXPLANATION OF THE CLASSIFICATION SYMBOL

SECTION
The Classification represents the whole body of knowledge which may be regarded as proper to the field of
patents for invention, divided into eight sections. See Fig. 2.

Each section is designated by one of the capital letters A through H corresponding to specific fields of
technology, as described in the section title. The section title is to be considered as a very broad
indication of the contents of the section. The eight sections are entitled as follows:
A HUMAN NECESSITIES
B PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
C CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
D TEXTILE; PAPER
E FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
F MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
G PHYSICS
H ELECTRICITY

Each section title is followed by a summary of the titles of its main subdivisions. Within sections, informative
headings from subsections, which are titles without classification symbols.
Example: AGRICULTURE.

CLASS
Each section is subdivided into classes containing class symbol, class title and class index.
Example: A 01 Agriculture; Forestry; Animal Husbandry; Hunting; Trapping;
Fishing.

SUBCLASS
Each class comprises one or more subclasses containing subclass symbol, subclass title and
subclass index.
Example: A 01 B Soil Working In Agriculture Or Forestry; Parts, Details, Or
Accessories Of Agricultural Machines Or Implements, In General.

GROUP
Each subclass is broken down into subdivisions referred to as “groups”, which are either main
groups or subgroups. The contains the group symbol, main group symbol, main group title,
subgroup symbol and subgroup title.
Example: A 01 B 1/00 Hand tools
1/24 . for treating meadows or lawns.

The title of 1/24 is to be read as: Hand tools for treating meadows or lawns.

A 01 B 1/00 Hand tools

1/16 . Tools for uprooting weeds.

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The title of 1/16 is a complete expression, but owing to its hierarchical position, the tools for
uprooting weeds are restricted to hand tools.

Fig. 2 – Sample Page of the International Patent Classification

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CLASSIFICATION RULES
1. The IPC has to be used in such a way that one and the same technical subject is classified
in, and thus can be retrieved from, one and the same place within the IPC.

o The technical subjects of inventions dealt with in patent documents concern either the
intrinsic nature or function of a thing or the way a thing is used or applied. The term
“thing” is used in this context to mean any technical matter, tangible or not, e.g.,
process, product or apparatus. This is reflected in the design of the Classification. It
provides places for classifying:

A thing “in general”, i.e., characterized by its intrinsic nature or function; the thing
being either independent of a particular field of use or technically not affected if
statements about the field of use are disregarded. [Function-oriented places]

A thing “specially adapted for” a particular use or purpose, i.e., modified or
particularly constructed. [Application-oriented places]

The particular use or application of a thing. [Application-oriented places]

The incorporation of a thing into a larger system. [Application-oriented places]

o The expressions “function-oriented place” and “application place” cannot always be

regarded as absolute. Thus, a given place may be more function-oriented than another
place but less function-oriented than yet a further place.

2. In certain places of the classification, some particular classifying rules are specified. The
places where such rules apply are clearly marked by a note at the highest place covered
by such classifying rules. The special rules for classification are as follows:

o Last Place Rule

In certain parts or places of the classification, where a particular technical.

Adopted when a particular technical subject in the IPC is covered by two or
more places of the same hierarchical level or indentation.

The technical subject is classified only in the place which appears last in the
classification.
The application of this rule is clearly indicated in the relevant Note in A61K, C07,
C08G, C10M, G07D 5/00

o First place rule

The technical subject matter is classified in the place that appears first in the
IPC.

This rule is clearly indicated in a relevant Note.
A fertilizer, which contains MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE, is classified in C05B which is
concerned with inorganic fertilizer (C05B Phosphatic Fertilizer, C05D Inorganic
Fertilizer not covered by subclass C05B).

o Principal constituent rule

o Composition is classified according to the constituent present in highest

proportion; if all constituents are present in equal proportion, the composition is
classified according to each of these constituents.
Example Composition of MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS

3. Other Rules – in a limited number of places in the classification other particular rules exist
which are clearly specified in notes at the places concerned, e.g., B32B, C04B 38/00, C08L,
G05D.

PATENT SEARCH USING THE INTERNATIONAL PATENT CLASSIFICATION

1. Determine the subject to be searched and the type of search to be carried out.

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 o The subject of search may include processes, products, apparatus or materials (or the
way these are used or applied).
o Know the important features or embodiment of the application by taking note of
relevant keywords. The keywords are user-generated search terms that would be
expected to be found in the text or content of the relevant document.
o For pharmaceutical compound, it is important to know the structural formula or the
chemical name. If the generic name is given, refer to the Merck Index to get the
structural formula as well as the granted foreign patents relating to the compound.

2. Determine the corresponding international classification. For most of the search types, the IPC
search file is the primary search tool for patent search.

Classification Strategy:

a. Use the catchword index to locate the place covering the subject to be classified. In
that case, the hierarchically higher places should be considered in order to verify the
correctness of that group.

b. If the use of the catchword index does not lead to a pertinent class, scan the contents
of the sections that can be found at the beginning of each sections of the IPC.

o The relevant section may first be identified, then the class and subclass, then
finally, the main group or the lowest order subgroup which is still wide enough in
scope to cover the essential characteristics of the technical subject to be
classified, always bearing in mind that the scope of any group can never
exceed the scope of its less indented group or that of its subclass;
or

o Conduct statistical analysis by defining the keyword(s) that best describes the
invention. By using the keyword(s), you can check for the IPC symbols that occur
most frequently in the database as a result of a query. Remember to check their
exact definition in the IPC manual.

3. After determining the correct classification, keywords and or the structural formula, manual or
electronic search may now be conducted.

MANUAL SEARCH
a. Scan through the IPC search files with the corresponding class(es).
o The inventor index and assignee search files may also be used depending on
the available data.
b. Take note of the patents that may be relevant or may correspond to the subject mater
of search.
c. Locate the full text patent document(s) in the IPO library.

COMPUTER-ASSISTED SEARCH
a. Open the database and type in the IPC or keyword(s) onto the appropriate textbox
and click the command button to commence the electronic search process. The IPC
can be used in combination with keywords or any other search criteria.
b. Browse the files corresponding to the search results.
c. Download or save the files that are relevant to the subject matter of search.
d. When dealing with locally published patents, locate the full text patent document(s) in
the IPO library.

4. Analyze and examine the patent documents as to its relevancy and similarity to the subject of
search.

5. Summarize findings.

Engr. Wilfredo Calaguan, BSME

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