International Class Search US Patent Office: A Comprehensive Guide
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Public Search Facility located in Alexandria, VA provides the public access to patent and trademark information in a variety of formats, including online, microfilm, and print. One of the key features of this search facility is the ability to search the International Class database, which includes about 2 million International Applications. This search facility features flexible search syntax, automatic word stemming and relevance ranking, as well as graphical results.
Understanding International Class Search
An International Class search is a type of patent search that allows users to search for patents and patent applications in a specific class or group of classes. The International Class system is a hierarchical system of language-independent symbols for the classification of patents and utility models according to different areas of technology. The system is used by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and is administered by the Strasbourg Agreement (1971).
There are currently 45 International Classes, each representing a different area of technology. Classes are further sub-divided into sub-classes, groups, and sub-groups, providing a more detailed and precise way to search for patents. For example, International Class 12 includes all goods related to transportation, while International Class 26 includes all goods related to clothing and textiles.
