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IPC Subclass
A63F

CARD, BOARD OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

Introduced: September 1968

Last revised: January 1990

Classification Context

Section:
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Class:
SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
Subclass:
CARD, BOARD OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

Description

A63F covers the mechanical, structural, and electronic apparatus for traditional and digital games played indoors. It encompasses card games, board games, roulette systems, tabletop games with small moving pieces (such as billiards, pinball, or miniature gaming tables), and video games and electronic gaming systems. This subclass excludes outdoor sports equipment and games (covered under A63B) and focuses on the gaming apparatus itself rather than the rules or gameplay methods. It includes patents for game boards, card shufflers, electronic gaming consoles, game controllers, and the physical hardware enabling gameplay.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass A63F recorded 258,711 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 17,709 in 2013 to 25,753 in 2023 (+45%), peaking at 26,705 applications in 2019. 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

A63F ranks 1st of 8 subclasses with filings in A63, with 258,711 applications between 2013 and 2023, 42.1% of the class. Annual filings grew 45% from 2013 to 2023, above the class as a whole (+40%).

Subclasses of class A63 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1A63FCard, 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

DIABOLO(1) GAME(S)indoor GAME(S) except bowling GAME(S)games using magnetically held piecesPARLOUR gamesTABLE(S) games

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Child Classifications

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  • A63F 11/00 Game accessories of general use

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class A63, 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