G03G ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- PHYSICS
- Class:
- PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- Subclass:
- ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
Description
G03G encompasses technologies for creating images through electric or magnetic field-based processes, particularly electrophotography (xerography) and related charge-based imaging methods. This subclass covers photoconductive materials, toner compositions, image development systems, and transfer mechanisms used in copiers, printers, and facsimile machines. It also includes magnetographic processes that use magnetic particles to form images and electrographic techniques employing direct electric charge. Adjacent subclasses G03B (cinematography) and G03F (photomechanical production) address optical projection and photolithography respectively, distinguishing G03G's focus on charge-mediated rather than light-mediated image formation.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass G03G recorded 119,063 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 13,637 in 2013 to 6,953 in 2023 (-49%). The most active applicants in class G03 are CANON (31,416 applications), CANON (17,469 applications) and KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS (9,845 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
G03G ranks 3rd of 6 subclasses with filings in G03, with 119,063 applications between 2013 and 2023, 25.0% of the class. Annual filings declined 49% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (-3%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G03B, Apparatus or Arrangements for Taking Photographs or for Projecting or Viewing Them; Apparatus or Arrangements Employing Analogous Techniques Using Waves Other Than Optical Waves; Accessories Therefor | Apparatus or Arrangements for Taking Photographs or for Projecting or Viewing Them; Apparatus or Arrangements Employing Analogous Techniques Using Waves Other Than Optical Waves; Accessories Therefor | 200,396 | 42.1% |
| 2 | G03F, Photomechanical Production of Textured or Patterned Surfaces, e.g. for Printing, for Processing of Semiconductor Devices; Materials Therefor; Originals Therefor; Apparatus Specially Adapted Therefor | Photomechanical Production of Textured or Patterned Surfaces, e.g. for Printing, for Processing of Semiconductor Devices; Materials Therefor; Originals Therefor; Apparatus Specially Adapted Therefor | 141,314 | 29.7% |
| 3 | G03G | Electrography; Electrophotography; Magnetography | 119,063 | 25.0% |
| 4 | G03H, Holographic Processes or Apparatus | Holographic Processes or Apparatus | 12,821 | 2.7% |
| 5 | G03C, Photosensitive Materials for Photographic Purposes; Photographic Processes, e.g. Cine, X-Ray, Colour or Stereo-Photographic Processes; Auxiliary Processes in Photography | Photosensitive Materials for Photographic Purposes; Photographic Processes, e.g. Cine, X-Ray, Colour or Stereo-Photographic Processes; Auxiliary Processes in Photography | 1,220 | 0.3% |
| 6 | G03D, Apparatus for Processing Exposed Photographic Materials; Accessories Therefor | Apparatus for Processing Exposed Photographic Materials; Accessories Therefor | 826 | 0.2% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
11 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- G03G 11/00 Selection of substances for use as fixing agents
- G03G 13/00 Electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G 15/00 Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G 16/00 Electrographic processes using deformation of thermoplastic layers; Apparatus therefor
- G03G 17/00 Electrographic processes using patterns other than charge patterns, e.g. an electric conductivity pattern; Processes involving a migration, e.g. photoelectrophoresis, photoelectrosolography; Processes involving a selective transfer, e.g. electrophoto-adhesive processes; Apparatus essentially involving a single such process
- G03G 19/00 Processes using magnetic patterns; Apparatus therefor
- G03G 21/00 Arrangements not provided for by groups , e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G 5/00 Recording-members for original recording by exposure, e.g. to light, to heat or to electrons; Manufacture thereof; Selection of materials therefor
- G03G 7/00 Selection of materials for use in image-receiving members, i.e. for reversal by physical contact; Manufacture thereof
- G03G 8/00 Layers covering the final reproduction, e.g. for protecting, for writing thereon
- G03G 9/00 Developers
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class G03, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CANON 31,416
- CANON JP 17,469
- KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS 9,845
- RICOH COMPANY 9,807
- ASML NETHERLANDS NL 9,427
- FUJIFILM JP 7,225
- KONICA MINOLTA CORPORATION 7,216
- FUJI XEROX COMPANY 5,711
- CARL ZEISS SMT DE 4,971
- RICOH COMPANY JP 4,123