---
kind: "section"
citation: "35 U.S.C. § 8"
title: "35"
title_heading: "Patents"
number: "8"
heading: "Classification of patents"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/35/8"
units:
  - "Part I — United States Patent and Trademark Office"
  - "Chapter 1 — Establishment, Officers and Employees, Functions"
---

# §8. Classification of patents


The Director may revise and maintain the classification by subject matter of [United States](/usc/35/100.md?p=c) 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](/usc/35/100.md?p=a) for which applications for patent are filed.


## Source credit

(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.)

## Notes

### 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.