35 U.S.C. § 8 — Classification of patents

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. (July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 794 , § 9; renumbered § 8 and amended Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, §§ 4717(1), 4732(a)(10)(A)] , Nov. 29, 1999 , 113 Stat. 1536 , 1501A–580, 1501A–582; Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title III, § 13206(b)(1)(B) , Nov. 2, 2002 , 116 Stat. 1906 .) 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 A prior section 8 was renumbered section 7 of this title . 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 Amendment Amendment 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 .

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