BOWLING GAMES, e.g. SKITTLES, BOCCE OR BOWLS; INSTALLATIONS THEREFOR; BAGATELLE OR SIMILAR GAMES; BILLIARDS (balls A63B37/00)

Description

A63D encompasses mechanical and physical games involving the projection of balls or similar objects toward stationary targets or pins, including traditional bowling, skittles, bocce, bowls, bagatelle, and billiards. The classification covers both the games themselves and associated installations, equipment, and playing surfaces required for their operation. This includes ball-throwing mechanisms, lane constructions, scoring systems, and mechanical apparatus designed to support these recreational activities. Adjacent classifications address other sports and game categories, while A63D specifically focuses on target-based ball games played on defined playing surfaces.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass A63D recorded 1,542 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 118 in 2013 to 80 in 2023 (-32%), peaking at 222 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class A63 are NETEASE (4,324 applications), TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY (3,255 applications) and SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT (2,643 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings