B41M PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)
Description
B41M covers printing and duplicating technologies that produce images or text on substrates through various mechanical and chemical processes. This subclass encompasses traditional printing methods (relief, intaglio, lithography), marking systems, copying technologies, and color printing techniques. It includes processes for applying inks, dyes, or other colorants to create visible marks, including electrostatic copying, thermal printing, and specialty marking applications. Related image formation technologies are classified elsewhere, such as in B41J for inkjet printing or G03 for photographic/electrostatic processes.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass B41M recorded 47,718 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 3,806 in 2013 to 3,014 in 2023 (-21%), peaking at 5,781 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class B41 are SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION (8,446 applications), SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION (8,438 applications) and HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (7,828 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
7 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B41M 1/00 Inking and printing with a printer's forme
- B41M 2205/00 Printing methods or features related to printing methods; Location or type of the layers
- B41M 3/00 Printing processes to produce particular kinds of printed work, e.g. patterns ( special designs or pictures per se B44F; manufacturing printed circuits using printing techniques H05K3/12 )
- B41M 5/00 Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein (by using light-sensitive materials G03; electrography, magnetography G03G )
- B41M 7/00 After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating,
- B41M 9/00 Processes wherein make-ready devices are used (make-ready devices per se B41N6/00)
- B41M 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B41, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 8,446
- SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION JP 8,438
- HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY US 7,828
- CANON JP 5,419
- CANON 4,156
- BROTHER INDUSTRIES JP 3,763
- BROTHER INDUSTRIES 2,779
- RICOH COMPANY JP 2,717
- FUJIFILM JP 2,423
- RICOH COMPANY 1,739