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IPC classes and the technology field description

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 3:36 pm
by vvr2018
Dear sir, madam,

I have a number of patents downloaded from PATSTAT (edition 2018B), for which I retrieved the IPC classes (4 digits level).

As these codes are not telling much, I would like to link each code to its description.

Using the table TLS901_TECHN_FIELD_IPC, I can for instance link the IPC class G10L to the following information:
- Technology sector: Electrical engineering;
- Technology field: Computer technology;

However, also the above description remain relatively broad. Having searched the internet, I came across the WIPO website with more fine-grained descriptions.

According to the WIPO website G10L corresponds to speech analysis and speech recognition.

I have the following questions above these IPC descriptions:
1) Can I find more fine grained IPC descriptions in PATSTAT then found in table TLS901_TECHN_FIELD_IPC (e.g. same style as WIPO descriptions)?;
2) Are IPC descriptions between EPO and WIPO compatible with each other?;

Thank you.

Re: IPC classes and the technology field description

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 1:18 pm
by EPO / PATSTAT Support
The data from table TLS901_TECHN_FIELD_IPC is taken from an Excel sheet published by WIPO, which does not contain the descriptions of the IPC symbols it contains. Descriptions and further information about IPCs are not part of PATSTAT. They can be accessed from WIPO in XML, HTML or PDF format(www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/en/ITsupport) or via online tools (www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/ipcpub) down to the lowest level of the IPC hierarchy.

The EPO is using the IPC (International Patent Classification) as defined by WIPO.

In addition, the EPO is using the CPC (Cooperative Patent Classification), which is (with small exceptions) compatible to IPC, but with considerably more codes and a deeper hierarchy to allow a more specific classification. All information about the CPC can be found on its web site www.cooperativepatentclassification.org .

I hope this helps,
Martin

Re: IPC classes and the technology field description

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:02 pm
by vvr2018
Dear Martin,

Thank you for your very clear and concise answer. It helps me out.