CPC (Cooperative Patent Classification)
What is a classification system?
All patents are classified according to the subject to which the invention relates in order to make it easier for a patent examiner to find similar inventions and assess whether the invention is already known.
What is CPC?
CPC is substantially based on the international patent systemet (IPC) which is administered by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization). Many countries in Europe, Asia and America now use the CPC to classify national patent material. NIPO is therefore in harmony with many other patent authorities.
CPC offers the ability to classify in more detail than IPC because the system contains more subcategories than IPC. Examination and case processing become more efficient and it becomes easier and faster to retrieve documents within a specific area. When we classify by CPC, it is easier for other patent offices to find our national documents, which can indirectly promote Norwegian innovation.
Until October 2015, NIPO has used the international classification system IPC and we will continue to use this system when we publish patent documents in accordance with our international agreements. All patent documents will also be published with IPC symbols.