Non-member submission from [Jim Calvert <jcalvert@patent.gov.uk>]
Dear Swami
I hope the following answers help you. My answers in bold after your
questions.
Jim
Jim Calvert
Senior Examiner - International Classifications
UK Patent Office
Tel. (44) (0) 1633 668566
Fax (44) (0) 1633 814827
>>><subramaniyan_narayanaswami@sandwich.pfizer.com> 06.01.2000 13:39:24 >>>
In a recent issue of Current patent Gazette (Week 51 dated 24/12/99), I read
about assigning a non-existent classification A12E for the PCT patent
WO9965318.
This raises the question about the absoluteness of assignment of IPCs to
certain patents. Over the last months, we have come across PCT patents
classified under G01N, but clearly should have been additionally classified
under C12N or C12P or C12Q. I am conscious of the pitfalls of using IPCs for
searching, but they are powerful tools in certain areas of technology. I
have a few questions in this area:
1. Who assigns the classifications? Is it the applicant or the searching
patent office for the PCTs? If it is the latter, is there a difference
between A2 and A3 document?
WIPO or the Searching Office depending on circumstances.
2. If there is any inconstancy in the assignment of classifications, is
there any mechanism for submitting corrections to the respective patent
offices?
Not really, but in applying ECLA the EPO correct the inconsistencies to some
extent.
3. When the PCTs enter the national phase, do the national offices either
reassign the classifications or add further classifications?
Yes but these are usually applied to the national phase document, not the
original PCT publication.
4. How does Derwent treat the IPCs from the basic to the equivalents? Does
it include all the IPCs available as each additional member is added to the
family? - Yes as far as I am aware.
5. As the technology develops, further classifications are added though each
revision period. What is the percentage increase of classifications between
say 5th and 6th edition? Are any classifications deleted during the
revision?
Ask WIPO about the percentage increase. In some technology areas it is
massive, in others no increase at all.
Classifications are deleted during the revision. There is always an
indication of where the subject matter has been transferred to though.
I would appreciate your comments.
Swami
(S. Narayanaswami)
Pfizer Central Research
Sandwich, Kent
U.K. CT13 9NJ
subramaniyan_narayanaswami@sandwich.pfizer.com
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