EN:Classification

IPC and CPC classes as well as CPC-Sets can be searched using the search block „Classification“.
The classification search block provides 2 options: list or text

List

The search assistant shows the IPC/CPC tree where class descriptions and class names can be searched.
Selected classes can be added to the search using the "Apply selection" button.

Text

When selecting text, the classes can be entered directly into the text field.
Once you have entered all classes, the entries are checked using "Apply".
Unknown classes are shown by an error message while the known classes are displayed in the IPC/CPC tree.
The entered classes including their respective descriptions are displayed in the "IPC/CPC List".

Plus selection

The "Plus selection" enables you to include all sub-classes of the searched classes to the search.

The "Plus selection" can be activated when selecting the classes in the IPC/CPC tree or by directly inlcuding it in the text field by clicking the Plus icon.

IPC7

In individual cases it can be sensible to search for the old IPC7 classes.
No hierarchical structure is available for the IPC7 classes.
However, it can be viewed on the DPMA or WIPO websites.

DPMA
https://depatisnet.dpma.de/ipc/ipc.do?s=&v=20000101&l=DE&dh=dh11&sn=n00&sci=i00#

WIPO
http://www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/en/ITsupport/old_versions.html

F-Term

F-Terms are a special classification of the Japanese Patent Office.
Additional information on the website of the Japanese Patent Office:
https://www.jpo.go.jp/cgi/linke.cgi?url=/torikumi_e/searchportal_e/classification.htm

Search for F-Terms on the website of the Japanese Patent Office:
https://www5.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/pms/tokujitsu/pmgs_en/PMGS_EN_GM101_Top.action

CPC-Set

Within the class search, the CPC sets are searched using the "CPC-sets" option.

The extended CPC-set search can be used to search for specific CPC-sets in a more detailed manner.

Using the button "Add CPC class" you can search for multiple CPC-sets or CPC classes within CPC-sets.
Each line within a search block is automatically linked with "OR".

The following search options are available for a line:

• First - CPC class must come first within a CPC-set
• Last - CPC class must come last within a CPC-set
• In order - CPC classes must appear within a CPC-set in the specified order
• Any position - CPC class must appear within a CPC-set (regardless of the position)
• Exact - CPC classes must correspond to exactly one CPC-set

Additional information on CPC-sets: "Combination Sets":
https://www.cooperativepatentclassification.org/publications/Miscellaneous