The New Patent Classification System (Z-code), introduced by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) to systematically classify technologies related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), aims to enhance the efficiency of patent search and examination. It does so by providing a more refined classification for key future industries such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), Big Data, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Autonomous Vehicles, and Next-generation Semiconductors.
This system is garnering significant interest, particularly as it allows corporate R&D personnel, startups, developers, and investors to more easily identify the appropriate classification for new technologies when formulating patent strategies. Pine IP Firm actively utilizes this Z-code system to assist companies in developing their technology protection strategies, and we summarize the key aspects below.
What is the Z-code New Patent Classification System?
It has been noted that existing patent classifications (such as IPC, CPC, etc.) struggle to adequately capture the diverse convergent technologies of the 4IR era. To supplement these, KIPO established the "Z-code" system, which subdivides core fusion technologies like AI, Big Data, Cloud, and IoT.
- Z01 Series: AI, Big Data, Cloud Computing, IoT, Blockchain, Next-generation Communications.
- Z03 Series: Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR), Smart Cities, Drones (UAVs), Smart Manufacturing, Personalized Smart Healthcare, Innovative New Drugs, Intelligent Robots, Autonomous Vehicles.
- Z05 Series: Next-generation Biopharmaceuticals, New & Renewable Energy, Advanced Materials, 3D Printing, Intelligent Semiconductors.
As shown, the 'Z-code' system enables detailed technological classification covering the entire spectrum of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Key Contents by Major Z-code Field
- Z01A Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Classifies core technologies such as learning & reasoning, language processing, deepfake-based security, visual processing, and context awareness.
- Applicable to security technologies for deepfake voice/image/video, AI speakers, chatbots, and other language processing-based AI.
- AI industry players can receive Z01A codes by clearly distinguishing their core inventions.
- Z01B Big Data
- Classifies the entire process including data collection/exploration, storage/analysis (mining, distributed processing), and Big Data platform management.
- Considers large-scale scalability, speed, and distributed processing capabilities compared to traditional RDBMS.
- Used for Big Data processing platforms, data visualization, distributed processing (e.g., MapReduce), and data mining.
- Z01C Cloud Computing
- Classifies cloud computing infrastructure, management platforms, service platforms (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, etc.), and security.
- Subdivides into areas like Edge Computing, multi-cloud management, and intelligent cloud security.
- Useful for patent strategy formulation when building future cloud-based services.
- Z01I Internet of Things (IoT)
- Classifies elemental technologies of IoT and IoT applications.
- Facilitates searching patents related to environment/context awareness, networks, and IoT applications.
- Utilized when identifying essential core IoT patents across the 4IR landscape.
- Z01L Blockchain
- Provides in-depth classification into blockchain base technologies (distributed ledger, consensus algorithms, smart contracts), extension technologies (interchain, sidechain), and application technologies (asset management, payment, logistics).
- Broadly applicable to patents for crypto asset-based services like DeFi and NFTs.
- Z01T Next-generation Communications
- Classifies next-gen communication technologies including 5G/Beyond 5G (B5G) mobile communications, quantum cryptography communication, and wired/wireless networks.
- Focuses on new communication technologies like ultra-low latency backbone networks and post-Wifi6 wireless LANs.
- Z03: Future Industry Convergent Application Technologies
- Z03A Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR): Immersive content displays, object recognition/tracking, rendering, interaction, etc. Used as a basis for patent strategies in immersive content fields like Metaverse and XR.
- Z03C Smart City: Smart service technologies related to urban infrastructure like traffic control (ITS), energy management (Smart Grid), environmental management, administration/convenience services, and disaster management. Patents become increasingly important for public/private urban innovation projects.
- Z03D Drones (UAVs): Subdivides drone components/structures (engines, sensors, manipulators), operation/navigation/autonomous flight, and infrastructure (UTM). Addresses expanding application areas like drone logistics, unmanned delivery, agriculture, and disaster response.
- Z03F Smart Manufacturing: Classifies the entire process for realizing smart factories, including supply chain/logistics management, production planning, quality control, predictive maintenance, and AR/VR support. Protects Big Data/AI-based manufacturing, digital twins, and process automation/optimization via CPS.
- Z03H Personalized Smart Healthcare: Covers ICT-based healthcare areas like remote diagnosis, health monitoring, medical big data analysis platforms, and wearable healthcare devices. An essential code for the future digital health industry combining telehealth, AI diagnostics, and healthcare big data.
- Z03M Innovative New Drugs: Focuses on ICT-based drug development platforms: using AI, Big Data, etc., for discovering new drug candidates and predicting drug interactions. Enables shortening clinical trials and reducing research costs through digital technology convergence.
- Z03R Intelligent Robots: Classifies robot intelligence (environmental perception, human-robot interaction) and robot components (manipulators, sensors). Applied to next-gen robot patents like collaborative robots, service robots, and AI robotics.
- Z03V Autonomous Vehicles: Subdivides environmental perception (sensors, driver status), path/risk judgment, and vehicle control (V2X communication, network security). Protects patents related to Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and connected cars.
- Z05: Future Growth Engine Advanced Technologies
- Z05B Next-generation Biopharmaceuticals: Advanced biopharmaceuticals (cell therapy, gene therapy, tissue engineering products), 3D bioprinting, next-gen vaccine platform technologies. Core for patent strategies in next-gen drug fields like gene editing, immune cell therapy, and mRNA/DNA vaccines.
- Z05E New & Renewable Energy: Classifies hydrogen energy (green/blue hydrogen production, storage, transport), fuel cells (stack technology), solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and ocean energy. Patent portfolios in renewable energy become essential with the rise of ESG management and the carbon neutrality era.
- Z05M Advanced Materials: ICT-based material development, computational chemistry or AI-driven material development, manufacturing of new materials based on National Core Technologies. Foundation for R&D patent strategies in steel, battery materials, nano new materials, composites, lightweight materials, etc.
- Z05P 3D Printing: Covers additive manufacturing processes like material extrusion (FDM), photopolymerization (SLA), powder bed fusion (SLS). Can be assigned alongside existing code B33Y; allocated to inventions closely related to the 3D printing process itself or the apparatus.
- Z05S Intelligent Semiconductors: Includes AI accelerators (GPU, FPGA, ASIC), neuromorphic semiconductors, Processing-In-Memory (PIM), etc. Applied in all areas requiring ultra-high-speed computation, such as data centers, autonomous driving, IoT, and cloud.
Z-code Utilization Strategy
- Ease of Prior Art Search: Enables faster searching of patent documents classified under specific Z-codes, simplifying the review of idea overlap and claim scope before filing.
- Setting R&D Direction: Helps clearly define a company's R&D investment focus by referencing the classifications for each core Z-code field.
- Infringement/Dispute Response: Allows for rapid identification of competitors' patent portfolios using the refined codes, facilitating the development of response roadmaps in case of disputes.
- Linking with Government Support Programs: The clear technological classification provided by Z-codes can be advantageous when applying for 4IR-related government projects and R&D funding.
Advice from Pine IP Firm
- Keeping Z-codes in mind when drafting patent specifications can help examiners more accurately grasp the core invention.
- Referencing relevant patent classification codes when marketing R&D results can enhance external credibility by highlighting innovation.
- For convergent technologies where multiple Z-codes might apply, strategically leveraging dual or multiple classifications is crucial for expanding the scope of protection.
Conclusion
The Z-code New Patent Classification System, aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is highly beneficial for industry and R&D fields to maximize technological value, prevent patent disputes, and create new business opportunities. For companies dealing with core convergent technologies like AI, Big Data, Cloud, IoT, Blockchain, Autonomous Driving, Bio, and Renewable Energy, a tailored patent strategy utilizing Z-codes is indispensable.
Pine IP Firm supports companies throughout the entire process, from building 4IR patent portfolios linked to Z-codes to rights acquisition and dispute response.
As new convergent technologies continue to emerge, the Z-code system will keep evolving as the core classification framework. We encourage continuous attention and strategic planning regarding these codes to maintain a leading position in the era of technological hegemony.
