The “New” International Patent Classification (IPC)
28/06/2010

The IPC provides a hierarchical system for the classification of patents and utility models, based on the areas of technology to which they pertain. It therefore serves multiple purposes in that it is an instrument for arranging patent documents in order to facilitate easier access to information therein, for enabling dissemination of information to users, for enabling investigations of the state of the art in given fields of technology, and for enabling the preparation of intellectual property statistics to allow assessment of development in various areas.

The system contains about 70,000 groups, all arranged in a hierarchical, tree-like structure. The highest level contains eight sections corresponding to broad technical fields. These sections are then subdivided into classes and subclasses pertaining to these particular fields. Subclasses are further divided into main groups and subgroups. The classification system was therefore divided into a core and an advanced level.

However, during the course of 2010, many simplifications will be introduced into the IPC. These changes will enter into force on 1 January 2011. One such introduction will be the removal of the division between the core and advanced levels. There will also only be one text of the IPC published, in principle, once a year. Procedures for revision of the IPC will also be simplified.

The details of the changes will be made available from July 2010. The WIPO website will gradually be updated in order to comply with these simplifications. For more information, please refer to www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/.
Thamaray Govender
Candidate Attorney
thamaray@adamsadams.co.za