IPA patent 4.2.3.4-master-classification-database-mdc — IP Australia Patent Manual of Practice and Procedure – 4.2.3.4 Master Classification Database (MDC)

Also in this Chapter: 4.2.3.1 Sub-Codes - Discontinued 4.2.3.2 The Australian Classification System - Discontinued 4.2.3.3 Indexing According to IPC Edition (2006) - Discontinued ​​​​​​​ 4.2.3.5 Recording Classification Symbols on Machine-Readable Records 4.2.3.6 Presentation of Classification Symbols and Indexing Codes on Patent Documents Sub-chapters: 4.2.3.4.1 Access to the MCD Data 4.2.3.4.2 Correction of MCD Data The IPC requires a master database for the storage and management of the classification data allotted to the patent documents. In view of the fact that EPO’s DOCDB database (DOCDB stands for DOCumentation DataBase and it contains the bibliographic details of published patents/applications starting from 1836) met most of the major requirements for the IPC master classification file, it was decided that DOCDB would be enhanced to serve as the master classification database (MCD) of the reformed IPC. The data elements that can currently be stored in the database are: identification data country kind number date application data country kind number date priority data country kind number date applicant inventor title(s) original translations classification IPC ECLA Other abstracts original translation in English family indicator Basic or Equivalent Any published document is expected to carry at least one valid IPC symbol representing Invention Information in that document and therefore the MCD checks the presence of this information, and compares it with an authority list of valid symbols and codes, at the moment of loading or reprocessing any data. MCD has data of PCT minimum documentation as well as non- PCT minimum documentation.