INFORMATION STORAGE

Description

G11 encompasses technologies for storing, retrieving, and managing information in physical media and systems. It covers magnetic storage (magnetic tape, discs, drums), optical storage (CD, DVD, holographic media), semiconductor memory devices, and mechanical storage systems. The class includes the structural design, encoding methods, read/write mechanisms, and error correction techniques essential to information recording and retrieval across diverse storage media.

Filing statistics

IPC G11 recorded 194,638 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 2 subclasses. Annual filings declined from 18,755 in 2013 to 15,992 in 2023 (-15%), peaking at 19,560 applications in 2021. The most active applicants in class G11 are MICRON TECHNOLOGY (10,574 applications), SK HYNIX (9,138 applications) and SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY (9,004 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings