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Patent Classification

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Organization and Staff

Classification Standards and Development maintains the patent classification systems.

Classification Divisions and Contact Numbers

Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)

The Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) effort is a joint partnership between the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the European Patent Office (EPO) where the Offices have agreed to harmonize their existing classification systems (European Classification (ECLA) and United States Patent Classification (USPC) respectively) and migrate towards a common classification scheme.

I don’t know anything about CPC. Where do I start?

Use the USPTO and EPO bi-lateral Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)(link is external) informational site on WWW
Start browsing the CPC scheme on www.uspto.gov

I know a USPC classification and I want to find a relevant CPC. What do I do?

Use the Classification Search Page to look up a Statistical Mapping from USPC to CPC.

I know a CPC group symbol (e.g., B02C 19/0081) and I want to see the group title, browse the scheme or read its definition. How do I do this?

Use the Classification Search Page to look up a CPC Scheme or Definition by CPC Symbol

I want to download CPC scheme and definition source files (e.g., XML, PDF); and CPC to IPC concordance files. How do I do this?

For CPC Schemes and Definitions use the CPC Schemes and Definitions Bulk data page(link is external) (link is external), on the Cooperative Patent Classification bi-lateral website to download this information.
For CPC to IPC Concordance files use the CPC Concordances page(link is external) (link is external), on the Cooperative Patent Classification bi-lateral website to download this information.

Additional CPC Resources:

The CPC Notice of Changes are the official record of change for the Cooperative Patent Classification system. Read more

United States Patent Classification (USPC) Resources

I don’t know anything about USPC. Where do I start?

Use the Index to USPC to browse an alphabetical listing of concepts and access relevant USPC classification schedules.
Use the Seven Step Strategy suggested by the Patent and Trademark Resource Center to find relevant classifications.
Review special guides to USPC and IPC
- Environmentally Sound Technologies (EST) Concordance
Browse a listing of USPC Class numbers and titles
Consult the Consolidated Glossary of USPC Terms used in USPC definitions
Consider additional guides
- Overview of the Classification System [PDF]
- Examiner’s Handbook
- Handbook of Classification [PDF]

I know a USPC classification symbol (e.g., Class 345 or Class/Subclass 345/418) and I want to:

browse the USPC classification schedule or USPC classification definition
- Use the Classification Search Page to look up a USPC schedule or definition by USPC symbol
find a relevant CPC
- Look up a Statistical Mapping from USPC to CPC by using the Classification Search Page to, or
find a relevant International Patent Classification (IPC)
- Look up a Mapping from USPC to IPC by using the Classification Search Page
- USPC-to-IPC Reverse Concordance

Documents and Reports Related to the USPC Manual of Classification

I want to understand more about how USPC has changed over time

A Classification Order documents changes to the UPSC which have occurred while maintaining the system over time. A Classification Order identifies Reclassification Project team members, USPC classifications abolished, USPC classifications established, new classification definitions and changes to existing classification definitions.