The European Classification (ECLA[1]) is a former patent classification system maintained by the European Patent Office (EPO).
It was introduced mainly as an extension of the International Patent Classification system in 1970, but sometimes it modifies its titles and rules.
ECLA is used in connection with the indexing system ICO, which serves to identify additional information and aspects that are not covered by the ECLA schemes.
[2] ECLA has been replaced by the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) as of 1 January 2013.
This article relating to the law of Europe or of a European country is a stub.