How does the CPC system handle multiple inventive entities within a single patent document?
The CPC system recognizes that a single patent document may contain multiple inventive entities, and it requires separate classification for each. According to MPEP 905.03(a):
“Patent documents should not be classified as a single entity. Rather, all different inventive entities, claimed or disclosed within the patent document, should be identified and separately classified.”
The MPEP further elaborates on what constitutes different inventive entities:
“Such different inventive entities are represented by different claims, alternative variants or different categories of subject matter (for example, a product and a method of its production).”
This approach ensures that:
- All novel and unobvious subject matter is properly classified
- Searchers can find relevant prior art for each inventive aspect
- The classification system accurately reflects the full scope of the invention
By classifying each inventive entity separately, the CPC system provides a more comprehensive and accurate representation of the technical content within a patent document.
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