What are CPC symbols and how do they affect patent application assignment?
Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) symbols are standardized codes used to classify patent documents according to their technical content. In the context of patent application assignment, CPC symbols play a crucial role in determining which examiner will review a new application.
As stated in MPEP 909.01(a):
“…an automated routing system that uses the CPC symbols on an application to determine the best available examiner to work on that individual application.”
The CPC symbols effectively serve as a guide to match the technical subject matter of an application with the expertise of available examiners, ensuring a more efficient and accurate examination process.
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