International Patent Classification (IPC)

The International Patent Classification (IPC), established by the Strasbourg Agreement 1971, provides for a hierarchical system of language independent symbols for the classification of patents and utility models according to the different areas of technology to which they pertain.
WIPO launched on September 16, 2010, an on-line tool associated with the International Patent Classification (IPC) that will facilitate searches for patent information relating to so-called Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) to help in identifying existing and emerging green technologies and potential partners for further R&D and commercial exploitation.

GENERAL INFORMATION	RESOURCES FOR IPC COMMUNITY	IPC TOOLS
About the IPC IPC Simplification Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)	IPC E-Forum Meetings, Circulars Download and IT support Revision & Reclassification Training	IPCCAT: automated classification - text categorization in the IPC TACSY: natural language search of IPC RIPCIS: IPC revision support (restricted access)

IPC Training Examples (2013.01) (Apr 12, 2013)
Guide to the IPC (version 2013) and updated Guidelines for Revision of the IPC now available (Apr 9, 2013)
IPC/WK/GE/13 (IPC Workshop - February 25 and 26, 2013): List of Participants and Summary now available (Apr 4, 2013)
IPC/CE/45 (February 27 to March 1, 2013): document IPC/CE/45/2 (Report) and presentations available (Apr 4, 2013)
IPC/WG/29 (May 13 to 17, 2013): Invitation and Draft Agenda now available (Mar 19, 2013)