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Thu, 03/16/2023 - 15:35
Gavin
Last seen: 03/17/2023 - 00:04
Joined: 03/16/2023 - 15:27
Discontinuity of the Number of IPC Technology Main Groups per Patent in 2013

Dear PatentsView team,

I'm using information on IPC technology main group contained in the ipcr.tsv file to trace the dynamics of the number of IPC main groups assigned to patents (See figure below). I notice a dramatic change in 2013 as the average number of IPC main groups per patent takes off around that period. Does anyone know what may be driving this discontinuity? Is there major change in patent examination practice around that period of time? 

I know the CPC scheme was first introduced and used by the USPTO in 2013. Does this relate to it? If so, how?

Thank you very much!

Discontinuity in the avg. number of IPC main groups per patent in 2013

Tue, 03/21/2023 - 16:06
PVTeam
Role: moderator
Last seen: 03/21/2023 - 16:06
Joined: 10/17/2017 - 10:47
CPC and IPC concordance

Hello Gavin, 
We are in agreement with your hypothesis that the upward spike in IPC patents was related and due in part to the beginning of CPC which started in January of 2013. CPC was made to work in partnership with IPC and was utilized by ECLA and USPTO beginning in 2013 which likely increased the ease of the pathway from national patent grant classifications to international classifications. 

Best,
PVTeam