Unless the application of an invention itself can determine its technical characteristics, inventions are usually classified according to their functions and inherent attributes. IPC is a classification system that combines functions with applications and focuses on functions.
IPC divides all technologies into departments, large categories, medium categories, large groups and groups, and each group can be subdivided. IPC *** has more than 64,000 entries, and the symbol of each entry consists of letters and numbers, indicating all levels of classification in this classification table.
In China, the object of patent legal relationship, that is, the object protected by the patent law, is collectively referred to as invention-creation, and the patent law clearly stipulates that "the invention-creation mentioned in this law refers to inventions, utility models and designs".
1
Invention as mentioned in the patent law refers to a new technical scheme proposed for a product, method or its improvement.
2. utility model
The term "utility model" as mentioned in the patent law refers to a new technical scheme suitable for practical use for the shape, structure or combination of products.
Step 3 design
Design is also called industrial design. The term "design" in China's patent law refers to a new technology that is based on the shape, pattern or combination of products and the combination of color and shape and pattern, and has aesthetic feeling and is suitable for industrial application.