International Patent Classification (IPC)

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The International Patent Classification (IPC), established by the Strasbourg Agreement 1971, provides for a hierarchical system of language independent symbols for the classification of patents and utility models according to the different areas of technology to which they pertain.

GENERAL INFORMATION	RESOURCES FOR IPC COMMUNITY
About the IPC Revision & Reclassification IPC Reform Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)	IPC E-Forum Meetings, Circulars IPC-7 and IPC-6 Download and IT support Training	IPCCAT: automated classification TACSY: natural language search of IPC IPCVAL: validity checking of symbols Restricted access: RIPCIS

Guide to the IPC (version 2009) now available (Dec 15, 2008)
IPC/WG/20 (November 24 to 28, 2008): Invitation and Draft Agenda now available (Oct 9, 2008)
Circular C. IPC 190 and document IPC/WG/19/2 (report) now available (Jul 11, 2008)
Next version of the IPC (IPC 2009.01) enters into force on January 1, 2009 (Jul 3, 2008)
IPC/WG/19 (May 26 to 30, 2008): Invitation and Draft Agenda now available (Apr 8, 2008)