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

1. Simplification of the Revision and Publication Procedures of the IPCNing Xu ― WIPOFebruary 2010

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. Simplification needed! • Synchronize CL and AL • Reducepublication frequencies • Simplify IPC revision procedures • Improve IPC revision efficiency • Enhance reclassification practice

10. Decisions of IPC Committee (IPC/CE/41) • SchemeSimplification • 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

11. 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 pubavailable six months before entry into force

12. 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 • Assuredwith availability of resources for reclassification of the PCT Minimum Documentation • Decided by the IPC/CE

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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 moreCL section in the scheme • Validity file: keep current structure unchanged with new definitions • CL RCL – discontinued • One compilation file for the full IPC

16. 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

17. 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

18. Thank you for your attention!