IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 1

IPC – A TOOL FOR CLASSIFYING PATENT IPC – A TOOL FOR CLASSIFYING PATENT DOCUMENTS RATHER DOCUMENTS RATHER

THAN CONCEPTS?THAN CONCEPTS?Pierre BuffetPierre Buffet

IPC WorkshopGeneva, February 8 and 9, 2010

IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 2

IPC - some issuesIPC - some issues

• IPC objectives• Classification objectives• IPC reform

IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 3

IPC objectivesIPC objectives

6. The Classification […] has as its primary purpose the establishment of an effective search tool for the retrieval of patent documents by intellectual property offices and other users […]

7. The Classification, furthermore, has the important purposes of serving as:

(a) an instrument for the orderly arrangement of patent documents in order to facilitate access to the […] information contained therein;

(b) a basis for selective dissemination of information […]; (c) a basis for investigating the state of the art […]; (d) a basis for the preparation of industrial property statistics […]

[IPC Guide, Version 2009]

IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 4

Classification objectivesClassification objectives

• Arrangement of objects• in a one dimension space

(shelves, shoe boxes, …)• To Facilitate access to the objects

or• To dispatch these objects

(e.g. to examiners)• Other use: (simple) description of

contents - one viewpoint

IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 5

IPC reformIPC reform

11.[…] Changes to the structure of the Classification and to methods of its revision and application were needed in order to ensure its efficient and effective use in the electronic environment.

• Binded to classification approach• One dimension space (shelves)• No real use of boolean capabilities

• Very expensive update procedure• Frequent updates• Need to reclassify

IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 6

IPC reformIPC reformClassification approachClassification approach

• Adapted to arrange collections• Limited for describing contents• Need to differentiate:

• Documents• Concepts describing the contents

• Concepts can be arranged in a different classification

• The example of Japanese F-terms

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IPC reformIPC reformexample of F-terms example of F-terms

• Multiple viewpoint approach• Adapted to boolean logic• See for instance:

IPC Workshop, Geneva, Feb. 4-5, 2008Japanese Classification System (FI, F-terms)

and Quality of ReclassificationSusumu IWASAKI, JPO

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AA components

AA04 ··Calcium oxides

Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (2)

AA044G0314G031

1515

IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 9

BA24 ··Low heat expansion

AA components

BA Functionsand Uses

Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (3)

AA04 and BA244G0314G031

1616

IPC Workshop – 2010.02.09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 10

AA components

BA Functionsand Uses

CA StructuresCA05 ·Granularity

Refine the search effectively!Refine the search effectively!

Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (4)

AA04 and BA24and CA05

4G0314G031

1717

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IPC reformIPC reform

13. The following major changes were introduced […]: (a) the Classification was divided into a core and an

advanced level, in order to better satisfy the needs of different categories of users;

• Convenient for storing documents according to size of collections

• Complex for searching

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IPC reformIPC reform

13. The following major changes were introduced […]: (c) when the Classification is revised, patent

documents are reclassified according to the amendments to the core and advanced levels;

• Very costly as changes are very frequent

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IPC reformIPC reformConclusionConclusion

• Look for stable solutions • to reduce costs

• Differentiate the classification of• Documents (storing, dispatching)• Concepts (indexing)

• Mr Iwasaki’s conclusion:

Future: Super IPC (multi-dimensional viewpoint) ??

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Overall ConclusionOverall Conclusion

• Recognize the role and constraints of each player

• Reduce costs• Enhance cross-linking

through:• Exchange of viewpoints & expertise

(WIPO, IPOs, PDG, PATCOM)• Standards (WIPO – SCIT – Standards &

Documentation Working Group)

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Thank YouThank You

www.questel.comEmail: pbuffet@questel.com