On December 26, 2024, the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam) announced Notice No. 4031/TB-SHTT, introducing the International Patent Classification (IPC) version 2025.01. This new classification officially took effect on January 1, 2025.
The IPC serves as a standardized system for categorizing patents based on the technical solutions they provide. This aids in organizing and searching for patents, thereby enhancing the efficiency of intellectual property management. The 2025 edition of the IPC will be available on the IP Vietnam’s electronic information portal, ensuring that applicants have access to the necessary classification guidelines to comply with the new requirements.
Starting January 1, 2025, applicants for patent protection must accurately state the IPC index of their technical solutions in their applications. This includes providing full classifications, encompassing sections, classes, subclasses, groups (main groups or subgroups), as outlined in the IPC Classification Table version 2025.01. Failure to accurately classify or neglecting to provide a classification will result in the Intellectual Property Office categorizing the application, with the applicant subsequently required to pay a classification fee.
In conclusion, the adoption of the 2025 International Patent Classification reinforces the importance of precise classification in safeguarding innovations and fostering a robust intellectual property framework.
By Dao Thu Trang
Patent Department
Starting January 1, 2025, applicants for patent protection must accurately state the IPC index of their technical solutions in their applications. This includes providing full classifications, encompassing sections, classes, subclasses, groups (main groups or subgroups), as outlined in the IPC Classification Table version 2025.01. Failure to accurately classify or neglecting to provide a classification will result in the Intellectual Property Office categorizing the application, with the applicant subsequently required to pay a classification fee.
In conclusion, the adoption of the 2025 International Patent Classification reinforces the importance of precise classification in safeguarding innovations and fostering a robust intellectual property framework.
By Dao Thu Trang
Patent Department
