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IPC Class
A63

SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS

Classification Context

Section:
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Class:
SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS

Description

A63 covers apparatus, equipment, and methods for sports, games, and amusements intended for recreation and entertainment purposes. This class encompasses diverse technologies including sporting goods (balls, rackets, protective gear), gaming devices and their mechanisms, playground equipment, fairground attractions, and toys designed for physical or mental engagement. The classification extends to installations and structures for sports facilities, gaming tables, and mechanical or electronic amusement devices, but excludes clothing and footwear (covered under A41) and furniture used in sports or gaming contexts unless specifically designed as integral gaming apparatus.

Filing statistics

IPC A63 recorded 614,431 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 8 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 38,669 in 2013 to 54,327 in 2023 (+40%), peaking at 67,379 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class A63 are SANKYO (23,899 applications), SANYO PRODUCT COMPANY (23,718 applications) and DAIICHI SHOKAI COMPANY (13,338 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

In class comparison

A63 comprises 8 subclasses with filings; the largest is A63F with 42.1% of the class's 614,431 applications between 2013 and 2023.

Subclasses of class A63 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1A63F, Card, Board or Roulette Games; Indoor Games Using Small Moving Playing Bodies; Video Games; Games Not Otherwise Provided forCard, Board or Roulette Games; Indoor Games Using Small Moving Playing Bodies; Video Games; Games Not Otherwise Provided for258,71142.1%
2A63B, Apparatus for Physical Training, Gymnastics, Swimming, Climbing, or Fencing; Ball Games; Training EquipmentApparatus for Physical Training, Gymnastics, Swimming, Climbing, or Fencing; Ball Games; Training Equipment247,62440.3%
3A63H, Toys, e.g. Tops, Dolls, Hoops or Building BlocksToys, e.g. Tops, Dolls, Hoops or Building Blocks61,90810.1%
4A63G, Merry-Go-Rounds; Swings; Rocking-Horses; Chutes; Switchbacks; Similar Devices for Public AmusementMerry-Go-Rounds; Swings; Rocking-Horses; Chutes; Switchbacks; Similar Devices for Public Amusement18,6603.0%
5A63C, Skates; Skis; Roller Skates; Design or Layout of Courts, Rinks or the LikeSkates; Skis; Roller Skates; Design or Layout of Courts, Rinks or the Like15,2312.5%
6A63J, Devices for Theatres, Circuses, or the Like; Conjuring Appliances or the LikeDevices for Theatres, Circuses, or the Like; Conjuring Appliances or the Like7,4241.2%
7A63D, Bowling Games, e.g. Skittles, Bocce or Bowls; Installations Therefor; Bagatelle or Similar Games; BilliardsBowling Games, e.g. Skittles, Bocce or Bowls; Installations Therefor; Bagatelle or Similar Games; Billiards2,8730.5%
8A63K, Racing; Riding Sports; Equipment or Accessories ThereforRacing; Riding Sports; Equipment or Accessories Therefor2,0000.3%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

AMUSEMENT(S)RECREATION

8 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. SANKYO 23,899
  2. SANYO PRODUCT COMPANY 23,718
  3. DAIICHI SHOKAI COMPANY 13,338
  4. KYORAKU SANGYO 10,447
  5. UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION 9,545
  6. SANEI R & D COMPANY 9,135
  7. SAMMY CORPORATION 7,126
  8. NEWGIN CORPORATION 5,651
  9. NETEASE 4,877
  10. HEIWA CORPORATION 3,938