Can patent examiners add International Patent Classification (IPC) codes using the Classification Manager?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

Yes, patent examiners can add or delete International Patent Classification (IPC) codes using the Classification Manager tool. The MPEP specifically mentions this capability:

“(D) Add or delete any International Patent Classification system (IPC) classification to a patent.”

This feature allows examiners to update the international classification of design patents, ensuring that the patent is properly categorized according to both U.S. and international classification systems.