IPC classification
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2020 12:46 pm
I want to limit my search for pharmaceutical patent applications filed in the US from 2005 to 2015. I would much appreciate if anyone could help me with some considerations.
According to Smoch's 2009 report to WIPO on IPC and Technology Concordance Table (https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/doc_de ... _id=117672), the old classification for pharmaceuticals used to be A61K and A61P. The new version of the table suggests A61K (not A61K-008/). Also, the document suggests that organic fine chemistry (C07B, C07C, C07D, C07F, C07H, C07J, C40B) and biotechnology (C07G, C07K, C12M, C12N, C12P, C12Q, C12R, C12S) have considerable overlap with pharmaceuticals, indicating that those co-classified with A61K (not A61-008/) should be excluded. Therefore, it could be understood that these co-classified cases may be considered pharmaceuticals.
On the other hand, WIPO's 2019 Concordance Table (https://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/i ... nology.xls) indicates another classification: A61K (not A61K-008/) and A61P.
Lastly, the document comments on a way to ensure proper classification by classifying applications based on the first/primary classification, which should be available for the USPTO.
My questions are:
1- In sectoral studies like this, is it right to just search for any IPC class (no matter the position) that corresponds to the identified relevant codes or should weights of positions be considered?
2- Can it be assumed that all USPTO applications have at least one first classification reported at PATSTAT?
3- If an application is reclassified, can this new classification change the first position or will it always be added as a new last/undefined position?
4- If the analysis only considers first classifications, is it right to define pharmaceuticals just as A61K (not A61-008) or should A61P also be included?
5- If the analysis considers both first and last (or undefined) classifications, is it right to define pharmaceuticals also with those defined as organic fine chemistry and biotechnology (in the first position) that are co-classified with these pharmaceutical codes (in the last/undefined position)?
6- How can I code a search for applications where ipc_class_symbol in any position is restricted to A61K (not A61K-008)?
7- How can I do the same search but defining that the ipc_class_symbol is in the first position?
Thanks for the help!
Best regards,
Eduardo Mercadante - LSE
According to Smoch's 2009 report to WIPO on IPC and Technology Concordance Table (https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/doc_de ... _id=117672), the old classification for pharmaceuticals used to be A61K and A61P. The new version of the table suggests A61K (not A61K-008/). Also, the document suggests that organic fine chemistry (C07B, C07C, C07D, C07F, C07H, C07J, C40B) and biotechnology (C07G, C07K, C12M, C12N, C12P, C12Q, C12R, C12S) have considerable overlap with pharmaceuticals, indicating that those co-classified with A61K (not A61-008/) should be excluded. Therefore, it could be understood that these co-classified cases may be considered pharmaceuticals.
On the other hand, WIPO's 2019 Concordance Table (https://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/i ... nology.xls) indicates another classification: A61K (not A61K-008/) and A61P.
Lastly, the document comments on a way to ensure proper classification by classifying applications based on the first/primary classification, which should be available for the USPTO.
My questions are:
1- In sectoral studies like this, is it right to just search for any IPC class (no matter the position) that corresponds to the identified relevant codes or should weights of positions be considered?
2- Can it be assumed that all USPTO applications have at least one first classification reported at PATSTAT?
3- If an application is reclassified, can this new classification change the first position or will it always be added as a new last/undefined position?
4- If the analysis only considers first classifications, is it right to define pharmaceuticals just as A61K (not A61-008) or should A61P also be included?
5- If the analysis considers both first and last (or undefined) classifications, is it right to define pharmaceuticals also with those defined as organic fine chemistry and biotechnology (in the first position) that are co-classified with these pharmaceutical codes (in the last/undefined position)?
6- How can I code a search for applications where ipc_class_symbol in any position is restricted to A61K (not A61K-008)?
7- How can I do the same search but defining that the ipc_class_symbol is in the first position?
Thanks for the help!
Best regards,
Eduardo Mercadante - LSE