Cooperative Patent Classification

Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) is a system that categorizes inventions into specific groups based on their technical features, similar to a library's cataloging system. It helps patent offices, companies, and inventors organize and search for patents efficiently. Developed jointly by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the CPC covers a wide range of technological fields. By assigning codes to inventions, it makes it easier to find related patents, assess innovation trends, and streamline the patent examination process across different countries.