IPC A TOOL FOR CLASSIFYING PATENT DOCUMENTS RATHER

IPC – A TOOL FOR CLASSIFYING PATENT DOCUMENTS RATHER THAN CONCEPTS? Pierre Buffet IPC Workshop Geneva, February 8 and 9, 2010 IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 1

IPC - some issues • IPC objectives • Classification objectives • IPC reform IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 2

IPC 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 3

Classification 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 4

IPC 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 5

IPC reform Classification 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 IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 6

IPC reform example of F-terms • Multiple viewpoint approach • Adapted to boolean logic • See for instance: IPC Workshop, Geneva, Feb. 4 -5, 2008 Japanese Classification System (FI, F-terms) and Quality of Reclassification Susumu IWASAKI, JPO IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 7

Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (2) AA components AA 04 ··Calcium oxides 4 G 031 AA 04 IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 8 15

Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (3) AA components BA 24 ··Low heat expansion 4 G 031 AA 04 and BA 24 BA Functions and Uses IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 9 16

Concept of F-term -Multiple Technological Viewpoints- (4) AA components Refine the search effectively! CA 05 ·Granularity 4 G 031 AA 04 and BA 24 and CA 05 BA Functions and Uses CA Structures IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 10 17

IPC 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 IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 11

IPC 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 IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 12

IPC reform Conclusion • 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) ? ? IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 13

Overall 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) IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 14

Thank You www. questel. com Email: pbuffet@questel. com IPC Workshop – 2010. 02. 09 – IPC – Some Issues – Buffet 15