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Description

H99 is a residual classification within Section H (Electricity) that captures electrical and electronic inventions and subject matter that do not fit within the established classes H01 through H98. This classification serves as a safety-net category for novel or emerging technologies in electrical engineering, electronics, and related fields that predate or fall outside the scope of more specific technical classifications. It is used sparingly and typically only when no other appropriate class in Section H adequately covers the technical subject matter. Classification to H99 is generally discouraged in favor of assigning patents to substantive, technology-specific classes whenever a reasonable fit exists.

Filing statistics

CPC H99 recorded 31 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 1 subclasses. Annual filings declined from 6 in 2013 to 1 in 2022 (-83%), peaking at 8 applications in 2017. The most active applicants in class H99 are IBM (INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION) (7 applications), TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY (4 applications) and BENGBU ZHAOHE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY (2 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings