Kind Codes

Introduction

Europe

Kind code	Meaning
A1	patent application published with the search report
A2	patent application published without the search report
A3	search report published with the front page of the application
A8	correction of front page data of A1 or A2; only front page re-published
A9	correction of application; complete reprint of document A1 or A2 or A3
B1	granted patent
B2	amended specification (e.g. claims) of granted patent
B8	correction of front page data of B1 or B2; only front page published
B9	correction of application
Wn	indicates that the correction affects all types of media and products (electronic, paper, etc.); a supplementary code used in combination with the original code (e.g. W1A1); number 'n' indicates the number of corrections (e.g. 1 is first correction; 2 is second correction)

United States of America

The kind codes in the United States of America depend on when the patent was published.

Since 2 January 2001

Kind code	Meaning
A1	first publication of a patent
A2	second or subsequent publication (requested by the applicant)
A9	correction of errors in Ax publications; error(s) made by the USPTO
B1	patent which was not published as a patent application
B2	patent which was previously published as a patent application
C1	re-examined patent; claims may be unchanged, amended or cancelled; re-examination requested by applicant or third party
E1	re-issued patent; claims may be broadened or narrowed (requested by applicant)
P1	first publication of a plant patent application
P2	plant patent which was not published as a patent application
P3	plant patent which was published as a patent application

Before 2 January 2001

Kind code	Meaning
A	patent
B	re-examined patent
E	re-issued patent
P	plant patent

WIPO

Kind code	Meaning
A1	patent application published along with the search report
A2	patent application published without the search report
A3	search report published along with the front page of the application

Other countries

The kind codes in other countries depend on the patent office of that country.

Links to information on kind codes (sources of above data)