G03G ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
Description
G03G encompasses technologies for creating images through electric or magnetic field-based processes, particularly electrophotography (xerography) and related charge-based imaging methods. This subclass covers photoconductive materials, toner compositions, image development systems, and transfer mechanisms used in copiers, printers, and facsimile machines. It also includes magnetographic processes that use magnetic particles to form images and electrographic techniques employing direct electric charge. Adjacent subclasses G03B (cinematography) and G03F (photomechanical production) address optical projection and photolithography respectively, distinguishing G03G's focus on charge-mediated rather than light-mediated image formation.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass G03G recorded 78,599 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 9,011 in 2013 to 4,598 in 2023 (-49%). 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
14 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
Navigate with arrow keys, Enter to open
- G03G 11/00 Selection of substances for use as fixing agents
- G03G 13/00 Electrographic processes using a charge pattern (G03G15/00, G03G16/00, G03G17/00 take precedence)
- G03G 15/00 Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern (G03G16/00, G03G17/00 take precedence)
- G03G 16/00 Electrographic processes using deformation of thermoplastic layers (layers for surface-deformation imaging G03G5/022); Apparatus therefor
- G03G 17/00 Electrographic processes using patterns other than charge patterns, e.g. an electric conductivity pattern; Processes involving a migration, e.g. photoelectrophoresis, photoelectrosolography; Processes involving a selective transfer, e.g. electrophoto-adhesive processes; Apparatus essentially involving a single such process
- G03G 19/00 Processes using magnetic patterns; Apparatus therefor
- G03G 21/00 Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G 2215/00 Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G 2217/00 Details of electrographic processes using patterns other than charge patterns
- G03G 2221/00 Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
- G03G 5/00 Recording-members for original recording by exposure, e.g. to light, to heat or to electrons; Manufacture thereof; Selection of materials therefor
- G03G 7/00 Selection of materials for use in image-receiving members, i.e. for reversal by physical contact; Manufacture thereof
- G03G 8/00 Layers covering the final reproduction, e.g. for protecting, for writing thereon
- G03G 9/00 Developers
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