Help searching IPC and CPC classifications

International patent classification

The IC field searches International patent classifications.

It will look for subgroups, both hierarchically and lexically.

For example searching for A61M16/10 finds the subgroups A61M16/10...A61M16/18 and searching for A61M16/00 finds the subgroups A61M16/00...A61M16/22

The valid formats for an IPC code search are the following:

Important: You don't have to enter *(wildcard) to find subgroups, they are automatically included

For an exact IPC code search you need to use the IC_EX

You may use a *(wildcard) with the IC_EX field to include similar subgroups

Here is the bridge between them IC:A61M16/00 = IC_EX:A61M16*. In practice IC_EX:A61M16* > IC:A61M16/00. On the other hand IC:A61M16/10 > IC_EX:A61M10*

Cooperative patent classification

The CPC field seaches Cooperative patent classifications.

It will look for subgroups, both hierarchically and lexically.

For example searching for A61M16/10 finds the subgouprs A61M16/10...A61M16/18 and searching for A61M16/00 finds the subgroups A61M16/00...A61M16/22

The valid formats for an CPC code search are the following:

Important: You don't have to enter *(wildcard) to find subgroups, they are automatically included

For an exact CPC code search you need to use the CPC_EX

You may use a *(wildcard) with the IC_EX field to include similar subgroups

Combined classification

The CLASSIF field finds subgroups, both hierarchically and lexically, for both CPC and IPC and actually is a union of the two fields.

When in doubt over whether you need to use IPC or CPC, you should use CLASSIF instead.