Understanding Language of Patent Numbers – Part -1 (Germany)

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A clear understanding of the format of patent numbers is crucial during search. I have tried to make it very simple here and will try to cover almost all countries in next post.

In Germany the application number is retained as the publication number, and finally as the granted patent number. Prior to 1995, the German patent number was generated as a yearly number series with 7 digits in which the first 2 digits represent the application year minus 50. Ex. DE4322577 C2, where the 43 indicates this patent application was filed in 1993.

A German utility model number prior to 1995 was generated as a yearly number series having 7 digits, where the first 2 digits represent the year of application.
Example: DE7300123 U (application was filed in 1973)

From 1995 through 2003, both utility models and patents follow the same number format, an 8-digit number, wherein the first digit indicates the type of document, digits 2-3 indicate the year of application, and the remaining 5 digits are a serial number.
Example: DE19712421 C1 (Application was filed in 1997)

Here is the list of possible 'types' that the first digit indicates:

1=DE patent
2=utility model
5=EP patent designating DE whose language is German
6=EP patent designating DE whose language is English or French

For applications filed since the beginning of 2004, the numbering system has changed to accommodate a 2-digit type, a 4-digit year, and 6-digit serial number.

The new type codes are:

10=DE patent
11=PCT filing designating DE
20=utility model
50=EP patent designating DE whose language is German
60=EP patent designating DE whose language is English or French

Comments

Fred Smith said…
A good summary of what needs to be searched initially. Although a better search criterion can be found at http://www.patentexpress.com
6:57 AM
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