Kind code
In patent law, a kind code, or WIPO Standard ST.16 code, is a code used on patent documents published by intellectual property offices to distinguish different kinds of patent documents. A kind code includes a letter, and in many cases a number, used to distinguish the kind of patent document and the level of publication. The recommended use is the two-letter country code followed by the patent document number and then the kind code, e.g., "US 7,654,321 B1" for U.S. Patent No. 7,654,321 where there was no previously published patent application publication, and "US 2003/1234567 A1" for U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/1234567, published in 2003.
In the European Patent Office
The European Patent Office uses kind codes such as the following. Kind codes for patent applications begin with A and include- A1, for an application published with a European search report;
- A2, for an application published without a European search report; and
- A3, for a later publication of the European search report.
In Japan
The Japan Patent Office uses kind codes including- A for publications of patent applications; and
- B1 and B2 for publications of granted patents.
In the United States
- A1, for a patent application publication ;
- B1, for a patent issuing from an application that was not previously published as a pre-grant publication; and
- B2, for a patent issuing from an application that was previously published as a pre-grant publication.
PCT documents
For publication of international patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the kind codes include- A1 for an application published with an international search report ;
- A2 for an application published without an ISR; and
- A3 for later publication of the ISR.