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:''This article is about the patent classification used in Japan. For F-term in theoretical physics, see [[F-term]].''
{{About|the patent classification used in Japan|F-term in theoretical physics|F-term}}


In [[Japanese patent law]], '''F-term''' is a system for [[Categorization|classifying]] [[Japan]]ese [[patent]] documents according to the technical features of the [[invention]]s described in them. It is not a replacement for the [[International Patent Classification]] (IPC) or other [[patent classification]]s, but complements other systems by providing a means for searching documents from different viewpoints. A symbol attached to a patent document, indicating that the invention disclosed in the document has a particular technical feature, is also called an F-term.
In [[Japanese patent law]], '''F-term''' is a system for [[Categorization|classifying]] [[Japan]]ese [[patent]] documents according to the technical features of the [[invention]]s described in them. It is not a replacement for the [[International Patent Classification]] (IPC) or other [[patent classification]]s, but complements other systems by providing a means for searching documents from different viewpoints.{{cn|date=May 2013}} A symbol attached to a patent document, indicating that the invention disclosed in the document has a particular technical feature, is also called an F-term.{{cn|date=May 2013}}

==Background==

The F-term system was developed in 1987 by the [[Japan Patent Office]] (JPO) and is maintained by the same body. The F-term system does not have any legal foundation, whereas the IPC system was agreed by the Strasbourg Agreement of 1971.

The F-term system is used by examiners in the ''JPO'' who give appropriate F-terms, together with IPC categories, to each patent document published by the JPO.

As with other patent classification systems, F-terms attached to a patent document do not affect the technical scope of the patent right, they simply serve as an index for patent documents.

The IPC system is similar to the [[scientific classification]] of organisms; both being hierarchical classification systems based on a single viewpoint. In contrast, the F-term system is like a picture book that presents various views such as "lives in rainforests" or "creatures having wings". The IPC system could be said to be systematic, while the F-term system is intuitive.

The F-term system was developed on the principle that computers will be employed for searching documents using the system. This is evident from the fact that F-terms did not appear on patent documents printed on paper before 2000, only being present in the electronic records up to that date. In particular, the system assumes the availability of [[set|set operations]] such as [[Union (set theory)|union]] or [[Intersection (set theory)|intersection]], because all applicable F-terms are applied to each document. (See the fictional example below.) This contrasts with the original basic idea of the IPC that each patent document falls into one subgroup only and documents are stored in book stacks.

== Detail ==
The F-term classification system consists of '''themes''' and '''terms'''.

The coverage area of the IPC is divided into approximately 2900 themes with each theme spanning a range of IPC subgroups. A theme is identified by the title describing the range or the '''theme code''' which consists of five digits allocated uniquely to each theme; for example, a theme spanning IPC range <code>A01K 87/00</code>&ndash;<code>87/06</code> is identified by its title "[[Fishing rod]]s" and its theme code is <code>2B019</code>. Some themes only span one IPC subgroup, such as theme <code>2F011</code>, "Tape measures" which covers IPC <code>G01B 3/10</code>.

Each theme has a number of viewpoints and each document is classified repeatedly for each viewpoint in the respective theme. For example, theme <code>2F011</code> "Tape measures" has the following four viewpoints: tape measures, housings, driving of tape measures and accessories.

From each viewpoint, documents are classified into several groups and labeled with a four-digit code called the ''term'' or ''F-term''. For example, from the viewpoint "tape measures", which focuses on measuring tape itself rather than winding mechanism or housing of tape, all measuring tape documents are classified into eight groups such as <code>AA02</code> "scales for special applications", <code>AA05</code> "tapes with cores containing synthetic resins", etc.

All terms concerning a theme are put into a tabular form called an ''F-term list'', which are available online, e.g., [http://www5.ipdl.ncipi.go.jp/pmgs1/pmgs1/!frame_E?hs=1&gb=2&dep=3&sec=2B&cls=019&scls=&mgrp=&idx=&sgrp=&sf=&bs=&dt=&wrd=&nm= 2B019] {{Dead link|date=May 2007}} and [http://www5.ipdl.ncipi.go.jp/pmgs1/pmgs1/!frame_E?hs=1&gb=2&dep=3&sec=2F&cls=011&scls=&mgrp=&idx=&sgrp=&sf=&bs=&dt=&wrd=&nm= 2F011] {{Dead link|date=May 2007}}. (Some descriptions of F-terms may seem strange because of incorrect translation from the original [[Japanese language|Japanese]].)

== Fictional example ==

Below is a fictional example of classifying a patent application within the F-term system. The fictional example of a cooking recipe database will be used as this avoids the need for any subject-specific knowledge.

The fictional IPC-style classification of recipes may be as follows:

X99Y 1/00 Dishes
X99Y 1/02 . Meat dishes
X99Y 1/04 . . comprising beef
X99Y 1/06 . . comprising pork
X99Y 1/08 . . comprising lamb
X99Y 1/10 . comprising seafood
X99Y 1/12 . comprising vegetables

This classification of recipes is based on a single viewpoint&mdash;the main ingredient of the dishes. Hence we can browse all recipes of meat dishes by selecting recipes labeled <code>X99Y 1/02</code>, <code>X99Y 1/04</code> and <code>X99Y 1/06<code>, and likewise we can browse all recipes of beef dishes by selecting recipes labeled <code>X99Y 1/04</code>.

However, the system does not allow the user to find all Chinese recipes, or all [[halaal]] lamb recipes, because the system is based on a single viewpoint. This is solved by the F-term system by the use of multiple viewpoints.

A fictional F-term classification of recipes may be as follows:

9Z999 Dishes (X99Y 1/00--1/12)
AA INGREDIENTS
AA11 Meat
AA12 . Beef
AA13 . Pork
AA14 . Lamb
AA21 Seafood
AA22 . Fish
AA31 Vegetable
BB CUISINE
BB41 Asian
BB42 . Chinese
BB43 . . Cantonese
BB44 . Turkey
BB51 European
BB52 . French
BB53 . Italian
CC COOKING
CC11 Boiled
CC21 Fried
CC31 Roasted
CC41 Steamed
DD SPECIAL
DD11 Halaal
DD12 Vegetarian

<code>9Z999</code> identifies an F-term sheet, or '''theme'''. <code>X99Y 1/00--1/12</code> in the parentheses indicates that the sheet covers the IPC range <code>X99Y 1/00</code>&ndash;<code>1/12</code>. <code>AA</code>, <code>BB</code>, or <code>CC</code> identify the different viewpoint of the theme and the combination of two letters and two numbers <code>AA11</code> etc. identifies features viewed from a specific viewpoint. This 4-symbol construction is known as an '''F-term'''. We can therefore find all Chinese recipes by selecting recipes having an F-term of <code>BB42</code>.

Since all applicable F-terms are applied to a given document a boolean-logic search can be used to find combinations of features&mdash;for example to find ''halaal lamb'' recipes a search can be made for recipes having both <code>AA14</code> and <code>DD11</code> F-terms. The latter search is conducted by calculating the intersection of set <code>AA14</code> and <code>DD11</code>.

== Traps ==
Because some F-term sheets of practical use are fairly large and complicated like [http://www5.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/pmgs1/pmgs1/!frame_E?hs=1&gb=2&dep=3&sec=2H&cls=171&scls=&mgrp=&idx=&sgrp=&sf=&bs=&dt=0&wrd=&nm= 2H171] and [http://www5.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/pmgs1/pmgs1/!frame_E?hs=1&gb=2&dep=3&sec=3C&cls=007&scls=&mgrp=&idx=&sgrp=&sf=&bs=&dt=0&wrd=&nm= 3C007], examiners sometimes drop applicable F-terms by mistake when they classify documents. In addition, some documents are classified into inappropriate IPC and therefore do not have any appropriate F-terms.

Taking these errors into account, a "defensive" search is conducted by
* using text keywords as well as F-terms or IPCs;
* calculating [[union (set theory)|union]] rather than [[intersection (set theory)|intersection]] of F-terms; and
* using several F-term sheets that are different but describing similar technologies
at the expense of additional time for browsing more documents.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www5.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/pmgs1/pmgs1/!frame_E?hs=1&gb=2&dep=1&sec=&cls=&scls=&mgrp=&idx=&sgrp=&sf=&bs=&dt=0&wrd=&nm= F-term lists] and [http://www4.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/Tokujitu/tjftermena.ipdl?N0000=114 F-term search] on the [[Industrial Property Digital Library]] (IPDL) by INPIT, a Japanese governmental agency
* {{in lang|en}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927092128/http://www5.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/pmgs1/pmgs1/!frame_E?hs=1&gb=2&dep=1&sec=&cls=&scls=&mgrp=&idx=&sgrp=&sf=&bs=&dt=0&wrd=&nm= F-term lists] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927092017/http://www4.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/Tokujitu/tjftermena.ipdl?N0000=114 F-term search] on the [[Industrial Property Digital Library]] (IPDL) by INPIT, a Japanese governmental agency
* [http://www.european-patent-office.org/news/epidosnews/source/epd_3_01/11_3_01_e.htm EPIDOS News] by the [[European Patent Organisation|European Patent Office]] on Japanese patent classifications
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051220004635/http://www.european-patent-office.org/news/epidosnews/source/epd_3_01/11_3_01_e.htm Japanese FI classification and F-terms now available in English (March 2001)] by the [[European Patent Organisation|European Patent Office]] on Japanese patent classifications (version archived by www.archive.org)
* {{webtrans|http://www.jpo.go.jp/torikumi/searchportal/htdocs/search-portal/sea.html|JPO patent search guidance|ja}}
* [http://cxp.paterra.com/FTerms/Guide.htm Paterra guide to F-term] {{Dead link|date=May 2007}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:F-Term (Patent Law)}}
[[Category:Japanese patent law]]
[[Category:Japanese patent law]]
[[Category:Patent classifications]]
[[Category:Patent classifications]]

[[ja:Fターム]]

Latest revision as of 03:35, 30 December 2019

This article is about the patent classification used in Japan. For F-term in theoretical physics, see F-term.

In Japanese patent law, F-term is a system for classifying Japanese patent documents according to the technical features of the inventions described in them. It is not a replacement for the International Patent Classification (IPC) or other patent classifications, but complements other systems by providing a means for searching documents from different viewpoints.[citation needed] A symbol attached to a patent document, indicating that the invention disclosed in the document has a particular technical feature, is also called an F-term.[citation needed]

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