Simplification of the Revision and Publication Procedures of the IPC Ning Xu ― WIPO February 2010

Current Conflicts and Complications Compatibility limitations of Core and Advanced levels (CL and AL) Special reference adjustment in the CL Different publication cycles Between CL editions, new CL groups are in force in AL

Current Conflicts and Complications (2) Different Revision Procedures for the two levels AL By a special subcommittee (ALS) Discussions ▬ decisions mainly by elecrtonic means

Current Conflicts and Complications (3) Different Revision Procedures for the two levels CL By a Working Group (IPC/WG) Discussions ▬ electronic means + physical meeting Decisions ▬ mainly during meetings

Current Conflicts and Complications (4) Different Revision Procedures for the two levels Between the ALS and IPC/WG New subdivisions of CL by IPC/WG; need also approval by ALS ▬ obligatory reclassification Creation of new subclasses or main groups by ALS ▬ need also approval by IPC/WG Important projects ▬ spilt in two: CL entries >> IPC/WG AL entries >> ALS

Current Conflicts and Complications (5) Preparation of French version AL ▬ initial draft by IB CL ▬ initial draft by French speaking offices Mixed projects ▬ by both Reformed IPC Information System (RIPCIS) Developed during reform Special need for different references in CL groups  not initially forseen Continuous need for adjustments to resolve conflicts between CL-AL in some areas

Current Conflicts and Complications (6) Commitment for reclassification Need for agreement of all ALS members before revision Lack of resources for reclassification in one office delays entry into force when a project is completed

Current Conflicts and Complications (7) Publication of the two levels No synchronisation between CL–AL Different version indicators between CL–AL for the same group Inconsistencies of CL-AL between editions of CL Complications of validity file structre Two publications by IB for AL every three months (eight publications by IB per year ): Early pub (English only) Official pub (English & French)

Simplification needed! Synchronize CL and AL Reduce publication frequencies Simplify IPC revision procedures Improve IPC revision efficiency Enhance reclassification practice

Decisions of IPC Committee (IPC/CE/41) Scheme Simplification One text of classification  AL Terms: CL and AL  discontinued Options of offices: Classify using subclass symbols Classify using only main group symbols Classify using the full classification

Decisions of IPC/CE/41 (continued) Publication Once a year Electronic form only "PDF" version  available only for the complete IPC Date of entry into force: January 01 Early pub available six months before entry into force

Decisions of IPC/CE/41 (continued) Revision Requests / Projects Projects forwarded from IP5 Offices will be: Automatically integrated into the IPC revision program Treated with priority Other revision requests must be: Submitted to the IPC e-forum three months before CE Assured with availability of resources for reclassification of the PCT Minimum Documentation Decided by the IPC/CE

Decisions of IPC/CE/41 (continued) Revision Procedures All revision projects will be: Considered by the IPC/WG Forwarded to the IPC/CE for final adoption (electronically or during an ordinary session) Efficiency improvement Enhanced discussions on the IPC e-forum Some particular issues or part of a project could be forwarded to a subsidiary body or a subgroup Distribute other tasks with less priority to ad hoc or permanent task forces Speed up French version preparation and adoption procedure

Decisions of IPC/CE/41 (continued) Reclassification of PCT Minimum Documentation Should be completed before entry into force IP5 Offices’ commitment  a simple family member in their working languages Participation of other interested offices Automatic reclassification In case of incompletion  decision by the IPC/CE Postponed publication, or Publish with warnings of incomplete reclassification

To be decided by the IPC/CE/42 Standards Changes to current ST.8 and ST.10/C are limited Terminology changes (Core and Advanced levels) Changes of interpretation of current letters or digits, e.g. “C” – for main groups; “A” – for the full IPC Similar changes and clarifications to ST.10/C Changes to IPC Master files Scheme file: no more CL section in the scheme Validity file: keep current structure unchanged with new definitions CL RCL – discontinued One compilation file for the full IPC

To be decided by the IPC/CE/42 (continued) Databases MCD operations amendments Rolled-up CL symbols – should be deleted from the MCD Roll-up process – discontinued for new documents Revised distribution algorithm for reclassification

To be decided by the IPC/CE/42 (continued) Timetable of Implementation Consultation process by the IB 26 offices out of 36 will use the full IPC 5 offices out of 36 will use main groups only 3 offices out of 36 will use either the full IPC or main groups only, depending on technical fields One office will use Subclass level Final adoption of the new structure  decision by the IPC/CE/42 Implementation of the new scheme & other modifications  2011

Thank you for your attention!