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 Japan Patent Office (JPO).”

This harmonization aims to create a more standardized classification system across these major patent offices, facilitating easier patent searches and comparisons across jurisdictions.

To learn more:

• patent classification
• harmonized subclasses
• USPC
• EPO
• JPO
• international patent systems