What are the general rules for identifying subject matter to classify in CPC?
The general rules for identifying subject matter to classify in CPC are:
- All subject matter covered by the claims of a patent document must be classified as invention information, including novel and unobvious constituents or components.
- Any unclaimed subject matter in the disclosure that is novel and unobvious must also be classified as invention information.
- It is desirable to classify or index additional information complementing the invention information if it is useful for search purposes.
- A subcombination of the subject of the invention if it is itself novel and non-obvious.
As stated in MPEP 905.03(b): “The general rules for identifying the subject matter to classify in CPC are as follows: (A) All subject matter covered by the claims of a patent document must be classified as invention information along with any novel and unobvious constituents or components (subcombinations) of the claimed subject matter. […] (B) Any unclaimed subject matter in the disclosure that is novel and unobvious must also be classified as invention information. (C) It is desirable to classify or index any additional information complementing the invention information, mentioned in the claims or in the unclaimed disclosure, if it is useful for search purposes. (D) A subcombination of the subject of the invention if the subcombination is itself novel and non-obvious.”
To learn more: