What are harmonized subclasses in the U.S. Patent Classification System?

Harmonized subclasses in the U.S. Patent Classification System (USPC) are subclasses that have been aligned with corresponding subclasses from the European Patent Office (EPO) and/or the Japan Patent Office (JPO). The MPEP states: “The U.S. Patent Classification System (USPC) includes subclasses that have been harmonized with subclasses from the European Patent Office (EPO) and the…

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What are the benefits of harmonized subclasses in patent classification?

Harmonized subclasses in patent classification systems offer several benefits: Improved consistency across major patent offices Easier cross-jurisdictional patent searches Enhanced efficiency in prior art searches Facilitated international patent prosecution Better understanding of global patent landscapes The MPEP’s mention of harmonization between the USPC, EPO, and JPO indicates a move towards a more standardized global patent…

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