Title 35 — PatentsRelease 119-73
§8 Classification of patents
Title 35 › Part PART I— - UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - ESTABLISHMENT, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, FUNCTIONS › § 8
Summary
The Director can maintain a subject index of patents and published materials to quickly check whether inventions are new.
Full Legal Text
Title 35, §8
Patents — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Director may revise and maintain the classification by subject matter of United States letters patent, and such other patents and printed publications as may be necessary or practicable, for the purpose of determining with readiness and accuracy the novelty of inventions for which applications for patent are filed.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on Title 35, U.S.C., 1946 ed., § 6 note (June 10, 1898, ch. 430, § 1, 30 Stat. 440). Changes in language are made.
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Amendments
2002—Pub. L. 107–273 made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(a)(10)(A)]. See 1999 Amendment note below. 1999—Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(a)(10)(A)], as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, substituted “Director” for “Commissioner”. Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4717(1)], renumbered section 9 of this title as this section.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1999 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 106–113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29, 1999, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4731] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
35 U.S.C. § 8
Title 35 — Patents
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73