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CPC Subclass Not Allocatable
G10C

PIANOS, HARPSICHORDS, SPINETS OR SIMILAR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ONE OR MORE KEYBOARDS (automatic musical instruments G10F)

Description

G10C covers keyboard-operated stringed instruments where sound is produced through mechanical action on tensioned strings. This classification encompasses pianos (grand and upright), harpsichords, spinets, virginals, and related instruments featuring one or more keyboards with mechanisms that strike, pluck, or otherwise excite strings. The subclass includes innovations in action mechanisms, string arrangements, resonance design, damping systems, and structural elements specific to these instruments. Adjacent mechanical music instruments without keyboards (such as guitars or violins) are classified elsewhere in G10D.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass G10C recorded 1,729 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 140 in 2013 to 147 in 2023 (+5%), peaking at 235 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class G10 are SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY (6,277 applications), GOOGLE (5,429 applications) and FRAUNHOFER (4,984 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

4 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • G10C 9/00 Methods, tools or materials specially adapted for the manufacture or maintenance of musical instruments covered by this subclass

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class G10, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 6,277
  2. GOOGLE US 5,429
  3. FRAUNHOFER DE 4,984
  4. SONY CORPORATION JP 2,808
  5. HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY CN 2,577
  6. MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING US 2,382
  7. DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION US 2,123
  8. QUALCOMM US 2,117
  9. IBM (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION) US 2,049
  10. AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES US 1,924