What Does “B2” Mean at the End of a Patent Number?

When reviewing your patent, you may notice a letter and number combination – such as “B2” – at the end of your patent number. This is called a kind code, and it’s not actually part of the patent number itself.

At IPlax, we create plaques using the core patent number (e.g., 12,345,678) without the kind code. This is a common industry practice, as most customers prefer a cleaner, simpler display. However, we’re happy to include the kind code on your plaque if you’d like it shown.

What Is a Kind Code?

Kind codes are short alphanumeric designations used to indicate the type of patent document and the stage of publication. They are assigned by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and follow the international standard set by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under Standard ST.16.

Kind codes help distinguish between different types of documents, such as published applications, issued patents, or reissued patents—even if they have the same base number.

Common Kind Codes You Might See

Here are some of the most frequently seen kind codes on U.S. patent documents:

• A1 – First publication of a utility patent application. This is not a granted patent.

• B1 – A utility patent issued without prior publication.

• B2 – A utility patent issued after the application was published.
  (Most modern U.S. utility patents fall into this category.)

• S – Design patents.

• P2, P3 – Plant patents.

• H1 – Statutory invention registrations (rare).

For example:

• US 2020/0123456 A1 refers to a published patent application.

• US 10,123,456 B2 refers to a granted utility patent.

Why We Typically Omit the Kind Code on Patent Plaques

While the USPTO includes kind codes on formal documents, most inventors and companies do not consider the kind code essential for display purposes. When creating patent plaques, we generally omit it for a more streamlined and visually appealing design.

However, we’re always happy to customize your plaque. If you’d like the kind code included, especially for formal presentations or legal clarity, just let us know when placing your order.

In Summary:

• The kind code (e.g., B2) is not part of your patent number.

• It indicates the type and stage of the patent document.

• We usually leave it off the plaque by default, but we’ll include it on request.

Would you like us to include the kind code on your plaque? Just let us know!