G03C PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES (for photomechanical purposes G03F); PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES, e.g. CINE, X-RAY, COLOUR, STEREO-PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES; AUXILIARY PROCESSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY (photographic processes characterised by the use or manipulation of apparatus classifiable per se in subclass G03B, see G03B; photomechanical production of textured or patterned surfaces G03F; electrophotography, magnetography G03G)
Description
G03C covers photographic films, plates, papers, and emulsions designed to capture and record images through light exposure, including silver halide and other light-sensitive compositions. This subclass encompasses conventional color, black-and-white, X-ray, cinematographic, and stereoscopic photographic processes, as well as auxiliary techniques such as image development, fixing, sensitization, and post-exposure treatments. The classification extends to photosensitive layers, coating methods, and chemical formulations that enable photographic image formation across various media and applications. Related optical and digital imaging technologies are excluded; see G03B for photographic apparatus and G03F for photomechanical processes.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass G03C recorded 1,200 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 187 in 2013 to 34 in 2023 (-82%). The most active applicants in class G03 are CANON (19,215 applications), CANON (12,916 applications) and ASML NETHERLANDS (10,000 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
8 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- G03C 1/00 Photosensitive materials (photosensitive materials for multicolour processes G03C7/00; for diffusion transfer processes G03C8/00; photosensitive glass C03C4/04)
- G03C 11/00 Auxiliary processes in photography (characterised by the apparatus used G03D15/00)
- G03C 2200/00 Details
- G03C 3/00 Packages of films for inserting into cameras, e.g. roll-films, film-packs; Wrapping materials for light-sensitive plates, films or papers, e.g. materials characterised by the use of special dyes, printing inks, adhesives (wrapping materials in general B65D)
- G03C 5/00 Photographic processes or agents therefor; Regeneration of such processing agents (multicolour processes or agents therefor G03C7/00; diffusion-transfer processes or agents therefor G03C8/00; stereo-photographic processes G03C9/00; photomechanical processes G03F)
- G03C 7/00 Multicolour photographic processes or agents therefor; Regeneration of such processing agents; Photosensitive materials for multicolour processes (diffusion transfer processes G03C8/00)
- G03C 8/00 Diffusion transfer processes or agents therefor; Photosensitive materials for such processes
- G03C 9/00 Stereo-photographic or similar processes
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class G03, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CANON JP 19,215
- CANON 12,916
- ASML NETHERLANDS NL 10,000
- FUJIFILM JP 7,814
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 5,181
- CARL ZEISS SMT DE 5,079
- RICOH COMPANY JP 4,343
- LG INNOTEK COMPANY KR 4,054
- KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS 3,812
- KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS JP 3,682