WIPO

IPC/WG/5/3 ORIGINAL: English DATE: June 22,  2001

WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
GENEVA

SPECIAL UNION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PATENT CLASSIFICATION
(IPC UNION)

IPC REVISION WORKING GROUP

Fifth Session
Geneva, June 11 to 22, 2001

INTRODUCTION

1. The IPC Revision Working Group (hereinafter referred to as "the Working Group") held its fifth session in Geneva from June 11 to 22, 2001. The following members of the Working Group were represented at the session: Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), European Patent Office (EPO) (20). The list of participants appears as Annex A to this report.

2. The session was opened by Mr. M. Makarov, Head, International Patent Classification Section, Office of the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty), WIPO, who welcomed the participants on behalf of the Director General.

OFFICERS

3. The Working Group unanimously elected Mr. H. Wongel (EPO) as Chair and Mr. Y. Fukakusa (Japan) as Vice-Chair for 2001.

4. Mr. A. Farassopoulos (WIPO) acted as Secretary of the session.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

5. The Working Group unanimously adopted the agenda, which appears as Annex B to this report.

CONCLUSIONS, DISCUSSIONS AND DECISIONS

6. As decided by the Governing Bodies of WIPO at their tenth series of meetings held from September 24 to October 2, 1979 (see document AB/X/32, paragraphs 51 and 52), the report of this session reflects only the conclusions of the Working Group (decisions, recommendations, opinions, etc.) and does not, in particular, reflect the statements made by any participant, except where a reservation in relation to any specific conclusion of the Working Group was expressed or repeated after the conclusion was reached.

REPORT ON THE THIRTIETH SESSION OF THE IPC COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS

7. The Working Group noted an oral report by the International Bureau on the thirtieth session of the IPC Committee of Experts (hereinafter referred to as "the Committee") (see document IPC/CE/30/11), at which session the Committee had adopted amendments to the seventh edition of the IPC relating to 46 classes and subclasses. The Working Group also noted that the Committee had agreed to suspend the revision work on the following revision projects: C 387, C 388, C 393, C 394, C 395, C 411, C 417 (see also paragraph 13, Project C 371, below) and C 420, and entrusted the Trilateral Offices to continue elaboration of those projects in the framework of the trilateral cooperation.

8. The Working Group was informed that the Committee had decided to extend the transitional revision period by two years with a view that the next edition of the IPC—reformed IPC—would enter into force on January 1, 2005. The International Bureau also reported of the major decisions by the Committee concerning IPC reform, in particular that the Committee had agreed on the procedure for the distribution of IPC groups between the core and the advanced levels of the reformed IPC, which would lead to the overall inclusion in the core level of approximately 30% of groups currently present in the IPC.

REPORT ON THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE AD HOC IPC REFORM WORKING GROUP

9. The Working Group noted an oral report by the International Bureau on the fifth session of the ad hoc IPC Reform Working Group (see document IPC/REF/5/3). The Working Group was informed, in particular, of the adoption of the classification definitions format which should be used as a model for the preparation of classification definitions in particular areas of the IPC. The Working Group noted the request by the ad hoc IPC Reform Working Group, made in view of the future division of the IPC into the core and the advanced levels, to carry out the checking and correction of references pointing from the core level groups to the advanced level groups and agreed on necessary steps for initiating this work (see paragraphs 16 to 19, below).

REPORT ON THE SESSION OF SUBGROUP D OF THE WORKING GROUP

10. The Working Group noted an oral report by the International Bureau on the session of Subgroup D of the Working Group (see document IPC/WG/D/2) and expressed its satisfaction with the work carried out which resulted in the elaboration of the new class C 40 covering combinatorial chemistry. The Working Group thanked the European Patent Office for having hosted the session of Subgroup D.

IPC REVISION PROGRAM

11. The Working Group discussed 26 pending IPC revision projects and approved amendments relating to those projects (see Technical Annexes 1 to 41 to this report). The decisions of the Working Group in respect of those projects are listed in Annex C to this report, and further information with respect to some of these decisions is given in paragraph 13, below. A list indicating to which classes or subclasses amendments have been approved during the revision period appears as Annex D to this report. Changes to amendments approved at earlier sessions are indicated in Annex E to this report.

12. The Working Group had before it, in particular, document IPC/WG/4/5 and the relevant project files.

IPC Revision Projects

13. The Working Group made the following observations, in addition to the decisions set forth in Annex C to this report, with respect to the IPC revision projects:

Project C 278 (mechanical) - Amendments to subclass B 32 B were approved (see Annex 1 to this report).

The EPO was invited to cite examples of patent documents illustrating the proposed group 38/02 (see Annex 43 to the project file).

Comments were invited on:

- the intended scope of group 38/02, in the light of the explanations provided by the EPO (see Annex 38 to the project file) and examples to be cited, in particular, which stages of the manufacturing of a layered product should be covered by the group;

- what wording of the said group 38/02 should better reflect its scope and whether it should belong to main group 37/00 or 38/00;

- whether the modified group 38/16 (see Annex 1 to this report) collected related subject matter representing a body of art useful for searching.

The EPO was invited to investigate how to define the borderline of subclasses B 29 C and D with main groups B 32 B 37/00 and 38/00, citing relevant examples of patent documents and taking into consideration Note (6) after the title of subclass B 32 B in the seventh edition of the IPC and the reference to class B 29 in group B 32 B 31/00.

Project C 354 (mechanical) - The Working Group considered the proposal by the United States of America (see Annex 36 to the project file) on the rearrangement of subgroups in main group B 60 R 21/00 according to the standardized sequence, and approved a partial rearrangement of the subgroup sequence. The Working Group agreed on the following general approach to this issue:

The rearrangement of subgroups according to the standardized sequence could be made only in respect of newly created subgroups when it would be beneficial for users. No rearrangement in respect of existing subgroups should be made since it would involve significant work relating to reclassification of documents and could lead to confusion for users.

Project C 355 (mechanical) - The amended wording of the new group B 60 T 8/176 was approved (see Annex 6 to this report).

Comments were invited on the desirability of creating a two-dot group covering regulation of the vehicle stability without involvement of vehicle deceleration or acceleration and the relationship of such a group with the new group B 60 T 8/1767 (see Annex 18 to the project file) and subclass B 60 K, in particular with its group 41/00.

The Working Group confirmed its previous decision (see Annex 38 to the project file) to draw the attention of the IPC Committee of Experts to the new Note after group B 60 T 8/00 defining multiple classification in that group and noted that similar notes, when needed, should be presented in the IPC in a standardized form when classification rules with regard to multiple classification have been finally elaborated.

Project C 362 (chemical) - The Working Group approved a number of amendments relating to the new main group C 09 K 8/00 (see Annex 8 to this report) which had been created at its fourth session.

The EPO was invited to submit:

- the data on the potential file size of groups C 09 K 8/44 and 8/46 (see Annex 33 to the project file) for determining which of the groups could be excluded from the classification scheme to avoid exhaustion of the superior group C 09 K 8/42;

- the data on the potential file size of the proposed groups C 09 K 8/564 and 8/566 (see Annex 41 to the project file) which could exhaust the scope of the superior group 8/562;

- examples of patent documents illustrating the contents of the new group C 09 K 8/518;

Comments were invited on:

- which one of groups 8/44 and 8/46 and which one of groups 8/564 and 8/566 should be excluded from the classification scheme to avoid exhaustion of the respective superior groups, in the light of the data to be submitted by the EPO;

- the correctness of the wording of group 8/518, in the light of its intended scope as illustrated by the examples to be submitted by the EPO;

- the desirability of the creation of the proposed groups C 09 K 8/03 and 8/035 (see Annex 41 to the project file) which should be, respectively, a two-dot group and a three-dot group;

- whether the wordings of the new groups C 09 K 5/584 and 5/588 correctly reflected their intended scope;

- the appropriate hierarchical position and the wording of the group proposed as C 09 K 8/588 (see Annex 41 to the project file);

- the desirability of the creation of a group covering "enhanced recovery of oil using bacteria," presently covered by group E 21 B 43/22, and the appropriate place for the group.

The Working Group did not consider the remaining part of the Rapporteur's proposal covering groups C 09 K 8/602 to 8/64 (see Annex 41 to the project file).

The EPO was invited to submit a modified proposal concerning subdivisions of the new group C 09 K 8/60, not using in the scheme the last place rule and introducing, instead, precedence references where necessary, and taking into account the approved subdivisions of other one-dot groups of main group C 09 K 8/00.

Comments were invited on the proposal to be submitted.

Project C 363 (chemical) - The Working Group considered the proposal relating to "additives for special types of fuels," as represented by groups C 10 L 1/50 to 1/62 in Annex 49 to the project file, and agreed that the proposal was not appropriate for the implementation as a classification scheme but a respective indexing scheme could be created if proved to be useful. In this regard, the Working Group requested the Trilateral Offices to investigate the usefulness of the proposal as an indexing scheme, to carry out its testing and to report to the Working Group of their findings.

The Working Group approved a number of amendments to main group C 10 L 10/00 (see Annex 10 to this report).

Comments were invited on:

- the intended scope of main group 10/00, how its title should correctly reflect the scope and whether any references to other places of the IPC were needed, in view of the possible overlap of main group 10/00 with those places;

- whether a new title of main group 10/00 would necessitate any changes to the existing groups 10/02 to 10/06 and to the new subordinated groups;

- the relationship of main group 10/00 with other main groups of subclass C 10 L in respect of subject matter relating to "additives," in particular, in view of the existing group C 10 L 9/10, and how that relationship could be clarified;

- whether the creation of the group proposed as C 10 L 10/22 (see Annex 49 to the project file) was desirable and, if that were the case, what wording it should have in order to avoid overlap with other subgroups of group 10/00;

- the desirability of creating subgroups of the new group C 10 L 10/32, in the light of the proposed subgroups C 10 L 10/34 to 10/38 (see the said annex 49), and what wordings they should have.

Project C 366 (mechanical) - Comments were invited on the correctness of the wording of the new group E 04 F 13/28 (see Annex 11 to this report) and whether similar groups covering "adjustment devices and adjustable fastening means" would be desirable to create under groups E 04 F 13/22, 13/24 or 13/30.

Project C 367 (mechanical) - Comments were invited on the desirability of the creation of subgroups of the new groups E 04 G 7/32 and 7/34 (see Annex 15 to this report), covering subject matter of the groups proposed as E 04 G 7/34 and 7/36 (see Annex 16 to the project file), and whether such subdivision of groups 7/32 and 7/34 would be efficient for searching.

Project C 369 (mechanical) - The Working Group considered the part of the rapporteur report (see Annex 29 to the project file) relating to main group F 04 C 28/00 and agreed to create that main group with its subdivisions (see Annex 17 to this report).

The EPO was invited to cite examples of patent documents illustrating the proposed group F 04 C 29/12 (see the said Annex 29) and to propose its improved wording.

Comments were invited on:

- whether group 28/30 was intended to cover "safety arrangements" in general or only as a subset of "control arrangements" and whether , as a consequence, "safety arrangements" should be part of the title of main group 28/00 or not;

- in the former case, what should be a proper relationship between group 28/30 and other subgroups of main group 28/00, for example, whether any references were needed or group 28/30 should be made a residual group;

- in the latter case, how the wording of group 28/30 could be modified in order to clarify its scope;

- whether the term "pumps" in the wordings of groups 28/02 and 28/04 was sufficient to correctly reflect the intended scope of those groups;

- whether the wording of group 28/14 was clear and which examples could be added to the wording in order to clarify the contents of the group;

- how detailed should be subdivision of group 28/16, in the light of its potential file size, and whether its subdivision should be done according to the Rapporteur's proposal or the counter-proposal submitted by Germany (see Annexes 29 and 30 to the project file, respectively);

- the desirability of the proposed group F 04 C 29/12, in the light of the examples to be cited and a new wording to be proposed by the EPO.

Sweden was invited to conduct a study on the relationship between Guide Headings and titles of main groups in subclass F 04 C and to propose improvements of main group titles using information provided by the Guide Headings. Sweden was also invited to propose how subject matter relating to "monitoring" should be reflected in the title of main group F 04 C 28/00.

Comments were invited on the proposals to be submitted by Sweden.

Project C 371 (mechanical) - The Working Group approved a new structure of subclass F 23 B at main group level proposed by the Rapporteur (see Annex 18 to this report). The Working Group noted that its earlier decision to proceed to the complete revision of that subclass was not only aimed at the improvement of classification in the field concerned but also at the creation of a revision model for the reformed IPC by using, inter alia, the standardized sequence of main groups.

The Working Group agreed that it was necessary to clearly define the borderline between subclasses F 23 B, F 23 C and F 23 G and noted, in this regard, that Project C 417 concerned with the revision of the two latter subclasses had been suspended by the Committee of Experts (see document IPC/CE/30/11, paragraph 13). The Working Group recalled that the Committee had authorized it to continue elaboration of a suspended project if that would be required by persuasive reasons. The Working Group agreed that the close interrelationship of Projects C 371 and C 417 represented such a persuasive reason and decided to resume the revision work under Project C 417, on the understanding that this would not compromise completion of Project C 371 in time for the next edition of the IPC. If necessary, revision work carried out by the Working Group under Project C 417 could be limited to the part needed for the completion of Project C 371.

The Working Group noted that the proposed groups F 23 B 14/10 and 14/14 (see Annex 28 to the project file) were withdrawn at the session.

Comments were invited on:

- the proper borderline between subclasses F 23 B, F 23 C and F 23 G, taking into account the revision proposals made under Project C 417;

- the desirability of creating an IPC entry relating to the shape of combustion chamber and whether it could be introduced as a classification or an indexing group, in the light of the proposal submitted by the EPO, the analysis made by Sweden (see Annexes 22 and 23 to the project file, respectively) and the guidelines for the creation of indexing schemes.

Project C 379 (electrical) - The Working Group approved the classification scheme proposed by the Rapporteur (see Annex 19, relating to subclass H 01 H, to this report).

Comments were invited on:

- whether the wording of group 13/7057 correctly reflected its intended scope and, in this context, whether the terminology used in main group 13/00 was consistent;

- the desirability of creating a common head group for approved groups 13/78, 13/79 and 13/80, covering "features of the contacts";

- whether there was any overlap between groups 13/83 and 13/84, and if that were the case, whether references between those groups were necessary;

- the desirability of the proposed group H 01 H 13/794 (see Annex 48 to the project file) and its wording, for example, whether it should be "characterised by spatial arrangement of a plurality of contacts." The EPO was invited to cite examples of patent documents illustrating this group.

Project C 386 (mechanical) - Amendments to subclass A 61 G in the English language were approved (see Annex 21 to this report). It was noted that the French version of the approved amendments would be prepared after the elaboration of classification definitions for that subclass under the respective D project.

Comments were invited on the correctness of the new title of subclass A 61 G and whether it reflected the intended scope of the subclass, in particular, in the light of the scope of its main group 5/00.

Project C 408 (electrical) - The consolidated proposal submitted by the Rapporteur was approved (see Annexes 26 and 27 to this report). Germany was requested to incorporate in classification definitions of subclass H 01 L the informative reference to subclass B 65 D proposed in group H 01 L 21/672 (see Annex 30 to the project file).

Project C 410 (electrical) - Main groups H 02 P 21/00, 23/00, 25/00, 27/00 and their subgroups were approved. Notes after each of the above-mentioned main groups, specifying the rules for multiple classification in this area, were also approved (see Annex 28 to this report).

The Working Group agreed that group H 02 P 21/00 should take precedence over main groups 1/00 to 19/00. The Rapporteur was invited to propose appropriate Notes or references to this effect. The Rapporteur was further invited to propose necessary changes in groups 5/00 and 7/00, in view of the creation of the new main groups.

Comments were invited on the proposals to be submitted.

Japan and the EPO were invited to cite patent documents relating to the integration of vector control with other types of control. Comments were invited on how such documents should be classified in the approved scheme and whether any changes were necessary to the said scheme in order to provide for the correct classification of the documents.

The Rapporteur was invited to submit explanations of the terms "adaptation" and "estimation" used in the wordings of the approved groups H 02 P 21/14 and 23/14 (see Annex 28 to this report). Comments were invited on those explanations.

Comments were further invited on:

- the correctness of the wording of group 23/08 and, in particular, whether it covered its intended scope;

- whether there was any overlap between groups 25/12 and 25/14 and, if that were the case, how it could be solved;

- whether group 27/20 was correctly placed as a subgroup under group 27/04, and whether its wording should be adapted or a precedence reference would
be preferable.

Project C 412 (chemical) - The Working Group agreed to create the new subclass A 61 Q relating to the use of cosmetics or similar toilet preparations and intended for further classification of subject matter already classified in main group A 61 K 8/00. The Working Group approved subdivisions of the new subclass at main group level (see Annex 30 to this report).

Comments were invited on:

- the relationship of subclass A 61 Q with other relevant places in the IPC, except main group A 61 K 8/00, for example, with subclass C 11 D, and how that relationship should be reflected in Note (1) following the title of subclass A 61 Q;

- whether subject matter covered by main group A 61 Q 7/00 should be properly classified in subclass A 61 P or in subclass A 61 Q, taking into account Note (1) after the title of subclass A 61 K defining subject matter covered by medicinal preparations and by cosmetics in that subclass.

The Working Group agreed on the new structure of main group A 61 K 8/00 and approved its subdivisions at one-dot group level (see Annex 29 to this report).

Comments were invited on:

- how the introduction of main group A 61 K 8/00 would influence the last place rule in subclass A 61 K, bearing in mind the amendment to Note (3) after the subclass title approved at the fourth session of the Working Group (see Annex 33 to the project file);

- whether Note (1) after group A 61 K 8/00 would be better presented in the form of several Notes associated with respective subgroups of the group;

- whether the proposed groups A 61 K 8/01 to 8/017 (see Annex 44 to the project file) should be created and whether they should be placed in subclass A 61 Q or in main group A 61 K 8/00, as proposed, or under group A 61 K 8/02, and, in the latter case, whether any changes to the wording of group A 61 K 8/02 would be needed.

Project C 413 (chemical) - The Working Group decided not to create the proposed group B 01 J 20/295 (see Annex 46 to the project file) intended to cover the residual subject matter and agreed that that subject matter could be classified in the hierarchically superior group embracing groups B 01 J 20/282 to 20/292.

The United Kingdom was invited to elaborate classification definitions for the series of the new groups B 01 D 15/10 to 15/42 (see Annex 33 to the project file), with a view to eliminating the risk of overlap among those groups.

Comments were invited on:

- classification definitions to be elaborated;

- the three options indicated by the Rapporteur (see Annex 46 to the project file) for the introduction of amendments relating to groups B 01 J 39/00, 39/06 and 41/06.

Project C 422 (chemical) - The Working Group considered the amendments to the IPC proposed by Subgroup D and approved them, with minor changes (see Annexes 37 and  38 to this report).

The Working Group considered, in particular, main groups of the new subclass C 40 B and noted the difficulties which Subgroup D had experienced in the application of the standardized sequence of main groups in IPC subclasses elaborated by the ad hoc IPC Reform Working Group. The Working Group agreed with the conclusion of Subgroup D that the standardized sequence of main groups was not beneficial in the field of combinatorial chemistry and approved the sequence of main groups in subclass C 40 B, corresponding to basic successive stages of combinatorial technology. In this regard, the Working Group agreed to request the ad hoc IPC Reform Working Group to reconsider the standardized sequence of main groups, with a view to its detailing and providing more examples so as to facilitate its application in the elaboration of new subclasses.

The Working Group discussed Notes, proposed by the EPO (see Annexes 29 and 31 to the project file), defining the scope of main group 7/00 relating to subject matter of "identifying library members." In order to further clarify the borderline between that main group and main group 5/00 covering "screening libraries," the Working Group agreed that it was also necessary to elaborate a Note defining the term "screening."

The United Kingdom was invited to submit the definition of the term "screening."

Comments were invited on:

- the Notes proposed by the EPO and the definition to be submitted by the United Kingdom;

- whether there was any overlap between subgroups of main group 9/00 and, if that were the case, how it could be eliminated, for example, by introducing a top-to-bottom precedence rule.

The Working Group discussed the need for introducing one-dot subgroups in main groups of subclass C 40 B, other than main group 9/00, and invited the EPO to submit the data on the potential file size of those main groups.

Comments were invited on the desirability of subdividing main groups, in particular in respect of "directed molecular evolution," "virtual libraries" and non-combinatorial versus combinatorial processes, in the light of the data to be submitted by the EPO.

The Working Group considered the list of most relevant areas of the IPC which should be used in association with subclass C 40 B, prepared by the EPO (see Annex 29 to the project file), and approved the list with the addition of subclass G 06 T. The Working Group requested the EPO to submit the list with the titles of the areas included, with a view to incorporating it in the Note following the title of subclass C 40 B.

IPC REFORM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, IN PARTICULAR ELABORATION OF CLASSIFICATION DEFINITIONS

14. Discussions were based on document IPC/WG/5/2, containing a plan of actions to be taken by the Working Group to implement the results of the IPC reform and a procedure for the creation of classification definitions and for the revision of subclass indexes according to the standardized sequence of main groups. The Working Group approved the plan of actions and arrived at the following decisions and conclusions with regard to particular activities contained in the plan.

IPC Revision Projects

15. The Working Group agreed with the recommendation of the ad hoc IPC Reform Working Group to complete the remaining IPC revision projects by the end of 2002. The Working Group noted that completion of the work on revision projects would provide additional resources for the implementation of the results of IPC reform.

Checking of Notes and References in the Reformed IPC

16. The Working Group agreed that the highest priority should be given to the checking of notes and references in the reformed IPC, which was needed in view of the division of the IPC into the core and the advanced levels. Following the decision of the Committee of Experts to postpone the core/advanced level distribution of the groups introduced in the seventh edition of the IPC and of the groups created during the current revision period (see document IPC/CE/30/11, paragraph 23), it was decided that references or notes pointing from core level places to advanced level groups, which existed already in the sixth edition of the IPC, should be considered.

17. In order to obtain experience in carrying out this task, the Working Group agreed to conduct three pilot projects in the following classes, where checking of notes and references would be made by volunteering offices:

A 23 (Sweden), C 10 (United Kingdom), G 06 (European Patent Office).

18. The Working Group noted that the following solutions should, in particular, be considered when checking the references:

- adopting the reference with the same wording but pointing to the equivalent core level destination group;

- rewording the reference on the basis of the wording of the equivalent core level destination group;

- moving the reference to the electronic layer, when it is an informative reference;

- moving the advanced level destination group to the core level, when its file size is near the limit fixed for the distribution of groups between the core and advanced levels.

19. The Working Group noted that the International Bureau would provide a list of all the places to be checked, on the WIPO IPC Web site, by August 1, 2001, and invited the volunteering offices to submit results of the pilot projects by October 15, 2001.

Elaboration of Classification Definitions and Revision of Subclass Indexes

20. The Working Group approved the procedure for the creation of classification definitions and revision of subclass indexes, which appears in Annex F to this report.

21. The Working Group realized that when sufficient experience in following the approved procedure has been accumulated, possible changes to the procedure should be considered and requested the rapporteurs for D projects to summarize their experience, by March 2002, in using the approved procedure and the definition format.

22. It was noted that, although each current D project concerned a respective subclass as a whole, the same procedure could be used for adding definitions for particular places within a subclass. It was agreed to consider later whether a more accelerated procedure could be used in such cases.

23. The Working Group decided to add 12 new D projects to the IPC definitions program and to consider selection of further projects at its next session. The complete list of subclasses for which definitions should be created appears in Annex G to this report.

24. The Working Group agreed, following the approval of the new definition format by the ad hoc IPC Reform Working Group (see Annex IV to document IPC/REF/5/3), to invite the rapporteurs to submit revised proposals on the definitions projects approved at the fourth session of the Working Group, or to submit new proposals on the new projects, based on the new format, by September 1, 2001. The Working Group further agreed that comments should be sent to the definitions e-forum by October 1, 2001, and rapporteur reports by October 20, 2001.

Illustrating Chemical Structural Formulae

25. Following the decision of the ad hoc IPC Reform Working Group to incorporate in the electronic layer of the IPC the illustrating chemical formulae provided by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the Working Group agreed on the distribution of work relating to areas in the IPC where those formulae were available (see Annex H to this report). The Working Group invited its members to consider participation in the project in respect of the areas for which responsible offices had not yet been fixed.

26. The Working Group agreed that the objective of the project would be providing comments on the chemical formulae already available and submitting proposals on desirable additions to the collection of formulae. The Working Group noted that the whole collection of formulae would be posted by the International Bureau on the WIPO IPC Web site by August 1, 2001. The Working Group invited participating offices to post their comments and proposals on a list server by April 1, 2002, and indicated that submissions of offices should be accompanied by a graphic representation of their suggestions. Technical details relating to such a graphic representation would be shortly provided by the International Bureau.

Conversion of Indexing Schemes to Classification Schemes

27. The Working Group agreed to consider this task at its next session, awaiting approval by the ad hoc IPC Reform Working Group of the guidelines for such a conversion.

STATUS OF THE WORK

28. The Chair assessed the status of the Tasks assigned to the Working Group and stated that 26 revision projects on the agenda of this session (see Annex B to this report) had been satisfactorily dealt with. He also pointed out that, at this session, the Working Group had launched an important work program of the implementation of the results of IPC reform. The Chair indicated that Annex C to this report gave the status of each revision project and brief information on actions to follow.

NEXT SESSION OF THE WORKING GROUP

29. The Working Group assessed the workload expected to be before it at its next session (see the following paragraph) and agreed to devote the first three days of the first week to the chemical field, the remainder of that week to the electrical field and the second week to the mechanical field.

30. The Working Group noted the tentative dates for its sixth session: November 26 to December 7, 2001.