B44 DECORATIVE ARTS
Description
B44 covers processes and apparatus for creating decorative finishes, embellishments, and ornamental effects on surfaces or objects. This includes engraving, etching, gilding, damascening, inlaying, and similar techniques applied to metals, wood, glass, ceramics, and other materials. The class encompasses both manual and mechanical methods for producing aesthetic surface treatments, as well as the tools and equipment specifically designed for decorative work, but excludes general surface treatment processes classified elsewhere (such as coating or plating in C23) and artistic or sculptural creation of three-dimensional forms.
Filing statistics
CPC B44 recorded 38,540 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 4 subclasses. Annual filings declined from 2,799 in 2013 to 2,013 in 2023 (-28%), peaking at 5,315 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class B44 are DNP (DAINIPPON PRINTING COMPANY) (316 applications), FLOORING TECHNOLOGIES (291 applications) and UNILIN (269 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
4 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B44B MACHINES, APPARATUS OR TOOLS FOR ARTISTIC WORK, e.g. FOR SCULPTURING, GUILLOCHING, CARVING, BRANDING, INLAYING (processes for producing decorative effects B44C; embossing leather C14B)
- B44C PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS (processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general B05D; shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; printing processes to produce transfer pictures B41M3/12; thermographic duplication or marking methods B41M5/00); MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK (imitation of mosaic or tarsia work patterns B44F11/04); PAPERHANGING
- B44D PAINTING OR ARTISTIC DRAWING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PRESERVING PAINTINGS; SURFACE TREATMENT TO OBTAIN SPECIAL ARTISTIC SURFACE EFFECTS OR FINISHES (surface treatment in general, see the relevant places, e.g. applying liquids or other fluent materials B05)
- B44F SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- DNP (DAINIPPON PRINTING COMPANY) JP 316
- FLOORING TECHNOLOGIES MT 291
- UNILIN BE 269
- FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED LU 225
- LEONHARD KURZ STIFTUNG & COMPANY DE 208
- 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) US 195
- AKZENTA PANEELE + PROFILE DE 187
- SICPA HOLDING CH 169
- TOPPAN PRINTING COMPANY JP 144
- HUECK RHEINISCHE DE 138