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Patent Classification Reform: Implications for Teaching, Learning, and Using the Patent Literature

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Conference

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

San Antonio, Texas

Publication Date

June 10, 2012

Start Date

June 10, 2012

End Date

June 13, 2012

ISSN

2153-5965

Conference Session

Information Literacy in Context: Enabling Real World Problem Solving

Tagged Division

Engineering Libraries

Page Count

10

Page Numbers

25.1029.1 - 25.1029.10

DOI

10.18260/1-2--21786

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/21786

Download Count

405

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Paper Authors

author page

Michael J. White Queen's University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0001-8828-499X

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Abstract

Patent Classification Reform: Implications for Teaching, Learning and Using the Patent LiteraturePatents are one of the core literatures of engineering. Academic engineering librarians oftenprovide formal and informal instruction to students on how to search the patent literature,including how to use patent classification codes to retrieve patents related to specifictechnologies. The major patent classification systems in use today include the InternationalPatent Classification (IPC), the European Classification (ECLA), and the U.S. PatentClassification (USPC). In early 2011 the European Patent Office (EPO) and U.S. Patent andTrademark Office (USPTO) announced a project to create a joint classification system called theCooperative Patent Classification (CPC). The CPC will be based on ECLA and the IPC andincorporate the best classification practices from the USPTO. Starting in 2013 the EPO andUSPTO will classify all their documents using the CPC. This paper will explore how the CPCwill be implemented in patent databases and its potential impacts on how engineering librariansteach students to use the patent literature. The author will describe the organization of the CPCand its relationship to current classification systems. The paper will also review teachingmaterials and resources for learning about the CPC.

White, M. J. (2012, June), Patent Classification Reform: Implications for Teaching, Learning, and Using the Patent Literature Paper presented at 2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, San Antonio, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--21786

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