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IPC Subclass
B41C

PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Class:
PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
Subclass:
PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES

Description

B41C covers processes and methods for creating or reproducing surfaces used in printing operations, including techniques for engraving, etching, lithography, and other surface preparation methods. This classification encompasses both traditional and modern processes for manufacturing printing plates, blocks, screens, and similar substrates that transfer ink or pigment onto paper or other materials. The scope includes chemical, mechanical, and photographic processes used to produce the image-bearing surfaces themselves, but excludes the actual printing operation or the resulting printed product, which fall under different classifications.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass B41C recorded 6,318 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 551 in 2013 to 458 in 2023 (-17%), peaking at 731 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B41 are SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION (14,672 applications), CANON (14,153 applications) and RICOH COMPANY (8,049 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

In class comparison

B41C ranks 5th of 10 subclasses with filings in B41, with 6,318 applications between 2013 and 2023, 1.7% of the class. Annual filings declined 17% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+15%).

Subclasses of class B41 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1B41J, Typewriters; Selective Printing Mechanisms, i.e. Mechanisms Printing Otherwise Than From a Forme; Correction of Typographical ErrorsTypewriters; Selective Printing Mechanisms, i.e. Mechanisms Printing Otherwise Than From a Forme; Correction of Typographical Errors200,33952.8%
2B41F, Printing Machines or PressesPrinting Machines or Presses101,97626.9%
3B41M, Printing, Duplicating, Marking, or Copying Processes; Colour PrintingPrinting, Duplicating, Marking, or Copying Processes; Colour Printing51,20113.5%
4B41K, Stamps; Stamping or Numbering Apparatus or DevicesStamps; Stamping or Numbering Apparatus or Devices11,6673.1%
5B41CProcesses for the Manufacture or Reproduction of Printing Surfaces6,3181.7%
6B41N, Printing Plates or Foils; Materials for Surfaces Used in Printing Machines for Printing, Inking, Damping, or the Like; Preparing Such Surfaces for Use or Conserving ThemPrinting Plates or Foils; Materials for Surfaces Used in Printing Machines for Printing, Inking, Damping, or the Like; Preparing Such Surfaces for Use or Conserving Them5,2881.4%
7B41G, Apparatus for Bronze Printing, Line Printing, or for Bordering or Edging Sheets or Like Articles; Auxiliary Apparatus for Perforating in Conjunction With PrintingApparatus for Bronze Printing, Line Printing, or for Bordering or Edging Sheets or Like Articles; Auxiliary Apparatus for Perforating in Conjunction With Printing1,1310.3%
8B41L, Apparatus or Devices for Manifolding, Duplicating or Printing for Office or Other Commercial Purposes; Addressing Machines or Like Series-Printing MachinesApparatus or Devices for Manifolding, Duplicating or Printing for Office or Other Commercial Purposes; Addressing Machines or Like Series-Printing Machines9630.3%
9B41B, Machines or Accessories for Making, Setting, or Distributing Type; Type; Photographic or Photoelectronic Composing DevicesMachines or Accessories for Making, Setting, or Distributing Type; Type; Photographic or Photoelectronic Composing Devices1180.0%
10B41D, Apparatus for the Mechanical Reproduction of Printing Surfaces for Stereotype Printing; Shaping Elastic or Deformable Material to Form Printing SurfacesApparatus for the Mechanical Reproduction of Printing Surfaces for Stereotype Printing; Shaping Elastic or Deformable Material to Form Printing Surfaces910.0%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

FORMESprinting PLATE(S)processing for preparing, producing or duplicating PRINTING -surfaces

2 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B41, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 14,672
  2. CANON 14,153
  3. RICOH COMPANY 8,049
  4. SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION JP 8,044
  5. HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY US 7,312
  6. BROTHER INDUSTRIES 6,887
  7. KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS 5,463
  8. CANON JP 5,001
  9. KONICA MINOLTA CORPORATION 4,512
  10. BROTHER INDUSTRIES JP 3,681