9th CPC Annual meeting with national offices classifying in the CPC

On 15 and 16
March, the EPO and USPTO held the 9^th CPC Annual Meeting with national
offices classifying in the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC). 79
participants from 33 offices attended the online meeting, including „observers“
from offices who have expressed an interest in joining the CPC in the future.

The
event is a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences with the
CPC, as well as discuss possible improvements to the system.

The EPO and
the USPTO updated the participants on the latest developments of the CPC system,
including the geographical expansion. Currently there are 32 offices
classifying in CPC, of which 18 are EPO member states. A 33^rd office
is currently making preparations with the EPO to join.

A
dedicated presentation was made by the EPO to facilitate and further promote
the sharing of CPC data and reclassified data.

Participants received a preview of the new version of the
External Classification Portal (ECP). It will offer additional services
to the users such as a contact information service, a CPC reclassification
service, a quality monitoring service, an AI-based CPC text categoriser and CPC
coverage reports. Eight offices have joined the pilot phase of the project.

Topics covered during the meeting included CPC
cooperation, maintenance of the CPC system, new CPC project numbering, progress
in EPO publications and CPC training. An open floor discussion on possible
improvements suggested by the offices concluded the event.