4.2.3.3 Indexing According to IPC Edition (2006) - Discontinued

Also in this Chapter:

• 4.2.3.1 Sub-Codes - Discontinued

• 4.2.3.2 The Australian Classification System - Discontinued

• ​​​​​​​4.2.3.4 Master Classification Database (MDC)

• 4.2.3.5 Recording Classification Symbols on Machine-Readable Records

• 4.2.3.6 Presentation of Classification Symbols and Indexing Codes on Patent Documents

Patent applications published after 1 January 2006 need to have classification compliant with IPC Edition 2006 (or otherwise called WIPO Standard ST.8 or Reformed IPC or IPC 8 or IPC Eighth Edition). The IPC 8 was published in June 2005. It varies significantly from previous IPC editions.

In the IPC Edition 2006, the maintenance of two separate and autonomous levels of the IPC, i.e. of the core and of the advanced levels, has been discontinued. Only one text of the Classification will be maintained and published, corresponding to the current advanced level. The terms “core level” and “advanced level” has been discontinued, since they have led to confusion.  Titles, references, notes, definitions and version indicators of the former core level groups will be the same whether the full text of the Classification is displayed or a part of it (e.g. main groups only).  Common rules for classification apply to all users of the IPC.

Details of IPC 8 can be found on the WIPO website.