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IPC Subclass
A01H

NEW PLANTS OR PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES

Introduced: September 1968

Last revised: January 1990

Classification Context

Section:
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Class:
AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
Subclass:
NEW PLANTS OR PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING THEM; PLANT REPRODUCTION BY TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES

Description

A01H covers the development of new plant varieties and the methods used to create them, including conventional breeding, genetic modification, and plant tissue culture techniques. This classification encompasses plant propagation through in vitro culture systems, somaclonal variation, and the selection or hybridization of plants with improved traits. It applies to both ornamental and agricultural plants where novel characteristics are intentionally developed or enhanced. Related but distinct biotechnological processes (such as genetic engineering at the molecular level) may be classified elsewhere depending on the specific technical focus.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass A01H recorded 86,394 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 7,440 in 2013 to 8,109 in 2023 (+9%), peaking at 8,498 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class A01 are CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (6,725 applications), JOHN DEERE (6,555 applications) and MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY (6,280 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Additional Content

Unicellular algae Fungal microorganisms Specific mutations prepared by genetic engineering on plant cell or plant tissues

Related Keywords

new plants per seHORTICULTURE

11 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • A01H 11/00 Bryophytes, e.g. mosses, liverworts
  • A01H 13/00 Algae
  • A01H 15/00 Fungi; Lichens
  • A01H 17/00 Symbiotic or parasitic combinations including one or more new plants, e.g. mycorrhiza
  • A01H 4/00 Plant reproduction by tissue culture techniques
  • A01H 7/00 Gymnosperms, e.g. conifers
  • A01H 9/00 Pteridophytes, e.g. ferns, club-mosses, horse-tails

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class A01, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 6,725
  2. JOHN DEERE US 6,555
  3. MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY US 6,280
  4. DOW AGROSCIENCES US 5,260
  5. BASF (BADISCHE ANILIN & SODA FABRIK) DE 5,106
  6. PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL US 4,609
  7. KUBOTA CORPORATION 4,458
  8. SYNGENTA PARTICIPATIONS CH 4,341
  9. BAYER CROPSCIENCE DE 4,305
  10. CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA US 4,024