MPEP § 905.03 — Classifying in CPC (Annotated Rules)

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 905.03, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Classifying in CPC

This section addresses Classifying in CPC.

Key Rules

Definitions & Scope (3)

MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-905-03-66019dc81ad87ea7f2f691ca]
CPC Scheme and Definitions Must Follow Specific Rules
Note:
The classification practice for CPC must follow its own specific rules found in the scheme, definitions, or both. If no specific rules are provided, IPC rules apply.

CPC has its own classification rules which appear in the scheme, definitions, or both. See MPEP § 905.02. In the absence of any specified classification rules in the scheme and definitions, classification practice follows the rules used in the IPC, as set forth in the IPC Guide. The IPC Guide is available at www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/en/.

MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-905-03-1153a34ab43366aaa278a72e]
Classification Follows IPC Guide When No CPC Rules
Note:
When no specific classification rules are provided in the scheme and definitions, classification practice follows the rules outlined in the IPC Guide.

CPC has its own classification rules which appear in the scheme, definitions, or both. See MPEP § 905.02. In the absence of any specified classification rules in the scheme and definitions, classification practice follows the rules used in the IPC, as set forth in the IPC Guide. The IPC Guide is available at www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/en/.

MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-905-03-4146d77e039954f0db302ac9]
IPC Classification Rules Followed When Undefined
Note:
When CPC classification rules are not specified, the IPC classification rules from the IPC Guide at www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/en/ must be followed.

CPC has its own classification rules which appear in the scheme, definitions, or both. See MPEP § 905.02. In the absence of any specified classification rules in the scheme and definitions, classification practice follows the rules used in the IPC, as set forth in the IPC Guide. The IPC Guide is available at www.wipo.int/classifications/ipc/en/.

Citations

Primary topicCitation
MPEP § 905.02

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31