Patent classification
Imagine you have a big box of toys. You want to organize them so that you can find each toy easily when you need it. So you start grouping them into categories like dolls, balls, cars, etc. That is what patent classification is all about.
A patent is a legal document that gives the inventor exclusive rights to a new invention or a discovery. There are millions of patents granted all over the world, and it's essential to organize them systematically. Patent classification is a way of organizing patents into different groups based on their technology or subject matter.
For example, let's say you invented a new type of car that runs on water. To get a patent for your invention, you need to describe how it works and what makes it different from other cars. Patent examiners, who are like toy organizers, will read your description and compare it to other car patents to see if it's new and unique.
To make their job easier, examiners use a patent classification system that assigns a unique code to each patent based on its subject matter. These codes help them sort and search for patents that are similar to yours.
The most widely used patent classification system is the International Patent Classification (IPC), which is managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The IPC divides all inventions into eight sections, further divided into classes and subclasses based on their subject matter.
So if your water-powered car is classified under section F (Mechanical Engineering), subclass02 (Engines and Pumps), the examiner can quickly find other car patents with similar technology and compare them to yours.
In summary, patent classification is a way of organizing patents into different groups based on their subject matter. It helps patent examiners and inventors find relevant prior art and identify potential competitors.
A patent is a legal document that gives the inventor exclusive rights to a new invention or a discovery. There are millions of patents granted all over the world, and it's essential to organize them systematically. Patent classification is a way of organizing patents into different groups based on their technology or subject matter.
For example, let's say you invented a new type of car that runs on water. To get a patent for your invention, you need to describe how it works and what makes it different from other cars. Patent examiners, who are like toy organizers, will read your description and compare it to other car patents to see if it's new and unique.
To make their job easier, examiners use a patent classification system that assigns a unique code to each patent based on its subject matter. These codes help them sort and search for patents that are similar to yours.
The most widely used patent classification system is the International Patent Classification (IPC), which is managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The IPC divides all inventions into eight sections, further divided into classes and subclasses based on their subject matter.
So if your water-powered car is classified under section F (Mechanical Engineering), subclass02 (Engines and Pumps), the examiner can quickly find other car patents with similar technology and compare them to yours.
In summary, patent classification is a way of organizing patents into different groups based on their subject matter. It helps patent examiners and inventors find relevant prior art and identify potential competitors.
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