- Introduction
- Procedures for updating this manual
- The Manual
- Processing Proposals for Changes to the Manual
- Initiating Changes to the Manual
- Authorisation of Changes
- Process for Actioning Changes
- Communication of Changes
- Review Process
- Attachment A - Editor and Sub-Editors of the Manual
- Attachment B - Request for Approval of Changes to the Manual of Practice and Procedure
- Attachment C - Review Schedule
- Using this Manual
- Navigating the Online Manual
- Printing the Online Manual
- Searching Techniques
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Useful Tips
- Disclaimer
- History
- Glossary
- P&PBR Technical Working Group (PTWG)
- Quality
- 1. International
- 1.1 International Searching
- 1.1.2 Introduction
- 1.1.2.1 Introduction Background
- 1.1.2.2 Introduction International Examination
- 1.1.2.3 General Procedures
- 1.1.2.4 Extent of Search
- 1.1.2.5 Minimum Documentation
- 1.1.2.6 Examination Section Procedures
- 1.1.2.7 Searching Examiner
- 1.1.2.8 Other Considerations
- 1.1.2.9 Copending Applications
- 1.1.3 Search Allocation and Preliminary Classification
- 1.1.4 Unity of Invention
- 1.1.4.1 Unity of Invention Background
- 1.1.4.2 Determining Lack of Unity
- 1.1.4.3 Combinations of Different Categories of Claims
- 1.1.4.4 Markush Practice
- 1.1.4.5 Intermediate and Final Products in Chemical Applications
- 1.1.4.6 Biotechnological Inventions
- 1.1.4.7 Single General Inventive Concept
- 1.1.4.8 A Priori and A Posteriori Lack of Unity
- 1.1.4.9 Issuing the Invitation to Pay Additional Search Fees
- 1.1.4.10 Unsupported Unclear Long
- 1.1.4.11 Payment of Additional Search Fees Under Protest
- 1.1.4.12 Completing the Search Report
- 1.1.4.13 Time for Completing the Search Report
- 1.1.4.14 Reported Decisions
- 1.1.4.15 Other Decisions from the EPO
- 1.1.5 Abstract and Title
- 1.1.7 Claim Interpretation, Broad Claims, PCT Article 5 and 6
- 1.1.7.1 Claim Interpretation According to the PCT Guidelines
- 1.1.7.1.1 PCT Guideline References and Flow Chart
- 1.1.7.1.2 Overview of the Hierarchy
- 1.1.7.1.3 Special Meaning, Ordinary Meaning, Everyday Meaning
- 1.1.7.1.4 Closed and Open Definitions and Implications for Interpretation
- 1.1.7.1.5 Implications of the Hierarchy on Searching
- 1.1.7.1.6 PCT GL Appendix Paragraphs 5.20[1] and 5.20[2]
- 1.1.7.1.7 Interpretation of Citations - Inherency
- 1.1.7.2 Broad Claims
- 1.1.7.3 PCT Articles 5 and 6
- 1.1.7.4 Claims Lacking Clarity and Excessive/Multitudinous Claims
- 1.1.7.5 Procedure for Informal Communication with the Applicant
- 1.1.8 Search Strategy
- 1.1.8.1 Introduction
- 1.1.8.2 The Three Person Team (3PT)
- 1.1.8.3 Area of Search
- 1.1.8.4 Search Considerations
- 1.1.11 Search Procedure
- 1.1.11.1 Overview - Novelty / Inventive Step
- 1.1.11.2 Inventive Step
- 1.1.11.3 Searching Product by Process Claims
- 1.1.11.4 Dates Searched
- 1.1.11.5 Conducting the Search
- 1.1.11.6 Useful Techniques ("piggy back/forward" searching)
- 1.1.11.7 Obtaining Full Copies
- 1.1.11.8 (reserved)
- 1.1.11.9 Considering and Culling the Documents
- 1.1.11.10 Ending the Search
- 1.1.11.11 Categorising the Citations
- 1.1.11.12 Grouping the Claims
- 1.1.12 Search Report and Notification Form Completion
- 1.1.12.5 Documents Considered to be Relevant
- 1.1.12.5.1 Selection of Documents Considered to be Relevant
- 1.1.12.5.2 Citation Category
- 1.1.12.5.3 Citation of Prior Art Documents
- 1.1.12.5.4 Citation of URLs
- 1.1.12.5.5 Citation Examples
- 1.1.12.5.6 Citing Patent Documents Retrieved from EPOQUE
- 1.1.12.5.7 Relevant Claim Numbers
- 1.1.12.1 Background Search Report and Notification Form Completion
- 1.1.12.2 Applicant Details
- 1.1.12.3 General Details
- 1.1.12.4 Fields Searched
- 1.1.12.6 Family Member Identification
- 1.1.12.7 Date of Actual Completion of the Search
- 1.1.12.8 Refund Due
- 1.1.12.9 Contents of Case File at Completion
- 1.1.15 Foreign Patent Search Aids and Documentation
- 1.1.18. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Listings
- 1.1.18.1 Background Nucleotide and/Or Amino Acid Sequence Listings
- 1.1.18.2 Office Practice
- 1.1.18.3 Summary
- 1.1.19 Annexes
- Annex V - Internet Searching
- Annex A - Blank ISR
- Annex B - Completed ISR
- Annex C - Completed ISR
- Annex D - Declaration of Non-Establishment of ISR
- Annex E - Completed Invitation to pay additional fees
- Annex F - Completed ISR with unity observations
- Annex H - Searching Broad Claims
- Annex I - Completed notification of change of abstract
- Annex J - Completed notification of decision concerning request for rectification
- Annex K - The role of the 3 Person Team in Searching
- Annex S - Refund of Search Fees
- Annex U - ISR Quality Checklist
- Annex W - Obtaining full text from internet
- Annex Z - USPTO kind codes
- Annex AA - Markush Claims
- Annex BB - Article 5/6 Comparisons
- 1.1.1 Procedural Outline - PCT International Search
- 1.1.6 Subjects to be Excluded from the Search
- 1.1.9 Basis of the Search
- 1.1.10. Non-Patent Literature
- 1.1.13 Reissued, Amended or Corrected ISRs and ISOs
- 1.1.14 Priority Document
- 1.1.16 Assistance with Foreign Languages
- 1.1.17 Rule 91 Obvious Mistakes in Documents
- 1.2 International Type Searching
- 1.2.10 Annexes
- Annex A - 15(5) request acknowledgement letter
- Annex B - Search statement request letter
- Annex C - Blank Art 15(5) search form
- 1.2.1 Procedural Outline International Type Search Report
- 1.2.2 Introduction - International Type Searching
- 1.2.3 Classification and Search Indication
- 1.2.4 Unity of Invention
- 1.2.5 Subjects to be Excluded from the Search
- 1.2.6 Obscurities, Inconsistencies or Contradictions
- 1.2.7 Abstract and Title
- 1.2.8 Search Report
- 1.2.9 Completing Search Report and Opinion Form
- 1.3 International Examination
- 1.3.3 The Demand and IPRPII
- 1.3.4 Top-up Search
- 1.3.5 First IPE action
- 1.3.5.1 First IPE Action
- 1.3.5.2 Supplementary International Search Report
- 1.3.5.3 PCT Third Party Observations
- 1.3.6 Response to Opinion
- 1.3.8 Completing ISO, IPEO and IPRPII Forms
- 1.3.8.1 Front Page and Notification Application Details
- 1.3.8.2 Box I Basis of Opinion/Report for ISOs, IPEOs and IPRPs
- 1.3.8.3 Box II Priority
- 1.3.8.4 Box III Non-establishment of Opinion
- 1.3.8.5 Box IV Unity of Invention
- 1.3.8.6 Box V Reasoned Statement Regarding Novelty, Inventive Step & Industrial Applicability
- 1.3.8.7 Box VI Certain Documents Cited
- 1.3.8.8 Box VII Certain Defects
- 1.3.8.9 Box VIII Certain Observations
- 1.3.9 General Considerations
- 1.3.9.1 Article 19 or Article 34(2)(b) Amendments
- 1.3.9.2 Formalities
- 1.3.9.3 General Notes on Form Completion
- 1.3.9.4 Rule 91 Obvious Mistakes in Documents
- 1.3.10 Annexes
- Annex A Sub-Annexes
- Annex AA - Best Practice Example 1
- Annex AB - Best Practice Example 2
- Annex AC - Best Practice Example 3
- Annex AD - Best Practice Example 4
- Annex A - Written Opinion-ISA
- Annex B - Written Opinion-IPEO
- Annex C - Notification of Transmittal of IPERII
- Annex D - IPRPII
- Annex E - IPRPII Clear Novel and Inventive Box V Only
- Annex F - Invitation to Restrict/Pay Additional Fees - Unity
- Annex G - Extension of Time Limit
- Annex H - IPE Quality Checklist
- Annex I - Examples of Inventive Step Objections
- Annex J - Examples of Objections under PCT Articles 5 and 6
- Annex K - Example of PCT Third Party Observations
- Annex L - Blank Written Opinion - ISA
- Annex M - Blank Written Opinion - IPEO
- Annex N - Blank IPRPII
- Annex O - ISO/ISR with Omnibus Claims
- Annex P - PCT Timeline
- 1.3.1 Procedural Outline Written Opinion
- 1.3.2 Introduction International Examination
- 1.3.7 IPRPII and Notification
- 1.4 Fiji Applications
- 1.4.8 Annexes
- 1.4.1 Introduction
- 1.4.2 Completion Time and Priority
- 1.4.3 Initial Processing
- 1.4.4 Search Procedure
- 1.4.5 Search Report and Advisory Opinion
- 1.4.6 Further Advisory Opinion
- 1.4.7 Final Processing
- 1.5 Thai Applications
- 1.5.1 Introduction Thai
- 1.5.2 Completion Time and Priority Thai
- 1.5.3 Initial Processing Thai
- 1.5.4 Search Procedure Thai
- 1.5.5 Search Report Thai
- 1.5.6 Final Processing Thai
- 1.5.7 Annex A - Thai Search Report
- 1.6 WIPO Searches
- 1.6.7 Annexes
- Annex A.1 - WIPO search request guidelines
- Annex A.2 - WIPO search request
- Annex A.3 - WIPO search request
- 1.6.1 Introduction
- 1.6.2 Completion Time and Priority
- 1.6.3 Initial Processing
- 1.6.4 Search Procedure
- 1.6.5 Search Report
- 1.6.6 Final Processing
- 1.10 Miscellaneous
- 1.10.1 Current Allocation of PCT Related Duties
- 1.10.2 International Online Specialists
- 1.10.3 Authorised Officer
- 1.10.4 Minimum Levels of Responsibility
- 1.10.5 Examiners with Foreign Language Capabilities
- 1.10.6 Current Status of APO AS AN RO ISA and IPEA
- 1.7 Other Countries
- 1.8 (reserved)
- 1.9 PCT Articles, Regs and Guidelines et al
- Printable Version
- 2. National
- 2.2 Other Examination Considerations
- 2.2.4 Communication of Report
- 2.2.4.1 Emailing Reports to Applicants or Attorneys, Sending Urgent Reports
- 2.2.4.2 Delayed or Non-Receipt of the Report by the Applicant or Attorney
- 2.2.4.3 Correction of Reports
- 2.2.7 Communication with Applicants and Attorneys Outside the Reporting Process and Recording of Case Notes
- 2.2.7.1 Introduction
- 2.2.7.2 Communication with Applicants or Attorneys by Phone
- 2.2.7.3 Communication with Applicants or Attorneys by Email
- 2.2.7.4 Dealing with Applicants or Attorneys in Person
- 2.2.7.5 Recording of Case Notes
- 2.2.1 Abbreviations Used in this Volume
- 2.2.2 "Private Applicant" Cases
- 2.2.3 Poor Translations
- 2.2.5 Work Priorities and Case Allocation
- 2.2.6 Responsibility for Furthers, Voluntary Section 104 Amendments
- 2.2.8 Summary of IP Reform Changes
- 2.3 Definitions
- 2.3.1 Definitions in the Patents Act
- 2.3.2 Effect of the Acts Interpretation Act
- 2.3.3 Some Examples of Intended Ambits
- 2.3.4 Reckoning of Time
- 2.4 Novelty
- 2.4.3 Applying the Test for Novelty
- 2.4.4 Relevant Prior Art
- 2.4.4.1 Prior Art Information
- 2.4.4.1A Prior Art Information
- 2.4.4.2 Meaning of Document
- 2.4.4.3 Publicly Available
- 2.4.4.4 Mosaics and Related Documents
- 2.4.4.5 Resiling from Acknowledged Prior Art
- 2.4.4.6 Exclusions
- 2.4.5 Construing the Citation
- 2.4.5.2 Principles for Construing the Citation
- 2.4.5.2.1 Construe As For Any Other Document
- 2.4.5.2.2 Date for Construing Citation
- 2.4.5.2.3 Use of Common General Knowledge
- 2.4.5.2.4 Errors in the Citation
- 2.4.5.2.5 Claims as a Disclosure
- 2.4.5.2.6 Photographs as a Disclosure
- 2.4.5.1 Introduction
- 2.4.6 Level of Disclosure Required
- 2.4.6.1 Practical Utility
- 2.4.6.2 Non-Literal Disclosure
- 2.4.6.3 Clear and Unmistakable Directions
- 2.4.6.4 Mere Paper Anticipations
- 2.4.6.5 Enabling Disclosures
- 2.4.6.6 General Disclosures, Selections
- 2.4.8 Not All Features of Claim Disclosed in Citation
- 2.4.8.1 Introduction
- 2.4.8.2 Features of a Claim prima facie Essential
- 2.4.8.3 Mere Presence in Claim Does Not Ensure Essential
- 2.4.8.4 Materially Affects the Way the Invention Works
- 2.4.8.5 Collocations Kits
- 2.4.8.6 Objects of the Invention, Statements of Prior Art
- 2.4.8.7 Words and Phrases
- 2.4.8.8 Conflicting Statements
- 2.4.8.9 Consideration of Independent and Dependent Claims
- 2.4.11 "Whole of Contents"
- 2.4.11.1 Introduction
- 2.4.11.2 Basis of the Whole of Contents Objection
- 2.4.11.2A Basis of the "Whole of Contents" Objection
- 2.4.11.3 Priority Date Considerations
- 2.4.11.4 Publication Considerations
- 2.4.11.4A Publication Considerations
- 2.4.11.5 Citation Must be a Single Document
- 2.4.11.6 Citation an International Application under the PCT
- 2.4.11.7 Citation Not OPI
- 2.4.11.8 Citation a Secret Case
- 2.4.11.9 Citation cannot be a Provisional Specification
- 2.4.11.10 Level of Disclosure
- 2.4.12 Novelty - Some Specific Examples
- 2.4.12.1 Chemical Compounds
- 2.4.12.1.1 Construction - Implicit Degree of Purity
- 2.4.12.1.2 Essential Features of Compound Inventions
- 2.4.12.1.3 Enabling Disclosure
- 2.4.12.1.4 Generic Disclosures as Citations
- 2.4.12.1.5 Optical Isomers
- 2.4.12.1.6 Constitutional and Geometric Isomers
- 2.4.12.1.7 Tautomers
- 2.4.12.1.8 Derivatives
- 2.4.12.1.9 Purposive Construction of Compound Claims
- 2.4.12.1.10 Reach-Through Claims
- 2.4.12.2 Range of Variables
- 2.4.1 Introduction
- 2.4.2 Test for Novelty
- 2.4.7 All Features Disclosed in Citation
- 2.4.9 Doctrine of Mechanical Equivalents
- 2.4.10 All Essential Features Disclosed in Citation
- 2.5 Inventive Step
- 2.5.1 Overview
- 2.5.1.4 Comparison between Novelty and Inventive Step
- 2.5.1.4.1 Prior Art Base
- 2.5.1.4.1A Prior Art Base
- 2.5.1.4.2 Operation of Section 7
- 2.5.1.4.2A Operation of Section 7
- 2.5.1.1 Introduction
- 2.5.1.2 The Statutory Basis for Inventive Step
- 2.5.1.2A The Statutory Basis for Inventive Step
- 2.5.1.3 Precedent, and the Meaning of Obvious
- 2.5.1.5 Tests for Inventive Step
- 2.5.1.6 Assessing Inventive Step in Examination
- 2.5.1.6A Assessing Inventive Step in Examination
- 2.5.1.7 Ex Post Facto Analysis
- 2.5.2 Identifying the Relevant Facts
- 2.5.2.1 Common General Knowledge
- 2.5.2.1.1 Introduction
- 2.5.2.1.1A Introduction
- 2.5.2.1.2 What is Common General Knowledge?
- 2.5.2.1.3 Evidence of Common General Knowledge
- 2.5.2.1.4 Acknowledged Prior Art
- 2.5.2.1.5 Common General Knowledge in Australia
- 2.5.2.1.5A Common General Knowledge not Limited to Being in Australia
- 2.5.2.1.6 Patent Specifications as Indicators of Common General Knowledge
- 2.5.2.1.7 Considerations at Further Reports
- 2.5.2.3 Determining the Problem
- 2.5.2.3.1 Introduction
- 2.5.2.3.1A Introduction
- 2.5.2.3.2 Problem Determined by Reference to Common General Knowledge and Prior Art Information
- 2.5.2.3.3 Claim Does Not Solve the Identified Problem
- 2.5.2.3.4 Amendment of the Problem
- 2.5.2.2 Non-Essential Features of the Invention Claimed
- 2.5.2.4 Identifying the Person Skilled in the Art (PSA)
- 2.5.2.4A Identifying the Person Skilled in the Art
- 2.5.2.5 Could the Person Skilled in the Art be Reasonably Expected to have Ascertained, Understood, Regard as Relevant and, Where Applicable, Combined the Prior Art Information?
- 2.5.2.5.1 Ascertained
- 2.5.2.5.2 Understood
- 2.5.2.5.3 Regarded as Relevant
- 2.5.2.5.3.1 Document Discusses the Same, or a Similar, Problem
- 2.5.2.5.3.2 Document Discusses a Different Problem
- 2.5.2.5.3.3 Age of the Document
- 2.5.2.5.3.4 Would the Person Skilled in the Art Have used the Document to Solve the Problem
- 2.5.2.5.4 Does the Document Constitute a Single Source of Information
- 2.5.2.5.5 Could the Person Skilled in the Art Consider it Obvious
- 2.5.2.5.5A Could the Person Skilled in the Art be Reasonably Expected to Have Combined the Prior Art Information to Solve the Problem?
- 2.5.2.5.6 Inventive Step Objections Involving a Combination of Documents
- 2.5.2.5A Prior Art Information
- 2.5.2.6 Evidentiary Requirements
- 2.5.3 Tests for Inventive Step
- 2.5.3.1 Introduction
- 2.5.3.2 Technical Equivalents
- 2.5.3.3 Workshop Improvements
- 2.5.3.3.1 Single Solution to the Problem
- 2.5.3.3.2 Bonus Effect
- 2.5.3.3.3 Several Solutions to the Problem
- 2.5.3.3.4 Selections
- 2.5.3.3.5 Obvious to Try
- 2.5.3.4 Special Inducements, Obvious Selections
- 2.5.3.5 Obvious Combinations of Features of Common General Knowledge
- 2.5.3.6 Invention in Identifying the Real Nature of the Problem
- 2.5.3.7 Invention in the Idea
- 2.5.3.8 Invention in the Purpose
- 2.5.3.9 Sub-Tests of Inventive Step
- 2.5.3.9.1 Prior Art, or Common General Knowledge, Teaches Away From the Solution
- 2.5.3.9.2 Practical Difficulties Overcome
- 2.5.3.9.3 Enabling Disclosures SubTests
- 2.5.3.10 Indicators of Inventive Step
- 2.5.4 Inventive Step - Some Specific Examples
- 2.7 Micro-Organisms and Other Life Forms
- 2.7.2 Full Written Description of a Life Form
- 2.7.2.1 General Requirements of the Description
- 2.7.2.1A General Requirements of the Description
- 2.7.2.2 Some Specific Requirements for the Written Description of Plant Varieties
- 2.7.2.3 Best Method of Performance of an Invention Involving a Life Form
- 2.7.2.4 The Issue of Repeatability
- 2.7.3 The Budapest Treaty
- 2.7.3.1 Introduction
- 2.7.3.1A Introduction
- 2.7.3.2 Full Description of a Micro-Organism by Satisfying the Deposit Requirements
- 2.7.3.2A Enabling Disclosure of a Micro-Organism by Satisfying the Deposit Requirements
- 2.7.3.3 Inventions Involving the Use
- 2.7.3.4 Deposit Requirements in Modified Examination
- 2.7.3.5 Deposit Requirements Affecting the Priority Date of a Divisional Application
- 2.7.4 The Deposit Requirements
- 2.7.4.1 Types of Deposits Under the Budapest Treaty
- 2.7.4.2 Deposit Requirements Under Section 6
- 2.7.4.3 Deposit Receipt and Notice of Entitlement to Rely on Deposit
- 2.7.5 Amendments to Insert Section 6(c) Information and Extensions of Time Therefor
- 2.7.5.1 Sections 104 and 223 - Insertion of Section 6(c) Information
- 2.7.5.1A Sections 104 and 223 - Insertion of Section 6(c) Information
- 2.7.5.2 Article 34 Amendments Concerning Section 6(c) Information
- 2.7.5.3 Amendment Procedure When a Request for Certification for Release is Pending
- 2.7.5.4 Amendment Procedure When Deposit Requirements Cease to be Satisfied
- 2.7.7 Deposit Requirements Cease to be Satisfied
- Annexes
- Annex A - Form BP/12
- Annex B - Notification Regarding Release
- Annex C - Letter to Person Making Request for Certification
- Annex D - Notification to Applicant of Request for Release
- 2.7.1 General Considerations and Definitions
- 2.7.6 Release of a Sample of Deposit
- 2.8 Abstracts
- 2.9 Patentability Issues
- 2.9.2 Patentable Subject Matter (Manner of Manufacture)
- 2.9.2.1 Legal Principles
- 2.9.2.2 Reserved
- 2.9.2.3 Alleged Invention
- 2.9.2.4 Fine Arts
- 2.9.2.5 Discoveries, Ideas, Scientific Theories, Schemes and Plans
- 2.9.2.6 Nucleic Acids and Genetic Information
- 2.9.2.7 Computer Implemented Inventions - Schemes and Business Methods
- 2.9.2.8 Printed Matter
- 2.9.2.9 Games and Gaming Machines
- 2.9.2.10 Mathematical Algorithms
- 2.9.2.11 Methods of Testing, Observation and Measurement
- 2.9.2.12 Mere Working Directions
- 2.9.2.13 Treatment of Human Beings
- 2.9.2.14 Micro-Organisms and Other Life Forms
- 2.9.2.15 Agriculture and Horticulture
- 2.9.2.16 Combinations, Collocations, Kits, Packages and Mere Admixtures
- 2.9.2.16.1 Collocations
- 2.9.2.16.2 Kits and Packages
- 2.9.2.16.3 Admixtures
- 2.9.2.16.4 Tips on Claim Construction
- 2.9.2.17 New Uses
- 2.9.2.17.1 New Use of a Known Substance
- 2.9.2.17.2 New Use of an Old Contrivance
- 2.9.2.17.3 Analogous Use
- 2.9.2.18 Ethics and Social Policy
- 2.9.3 Other Issues
- 2.9.3.1 Contrary to Law
- 2.9.3.2 Food or Medicines, Being Mere Admixtures
- 2.9.3.3 General Inconvenience
- 2.9.3.4 Useful (Utility)
- 2.9.3.4A Useful (Utility)
- 2.9.3.4.1A Assessing the Claims for Lack of Usefulness
- 2.9.3.4.1.1A Does the Invention Achieve the Promised Benefit?
- 2.9.3.4.1.2A Specific, Substantial and Credible Use
- 2.9.3.4.2A Consideration of Specific Claim Types
- 2.9.3.4.3A Therapeutic or Pharmacological Use
- 2.9.3.4.4A Contravention of Laws of Nature
- 2.9.3.5 Human Beings and Biological Processes for Their Generation
- 2.9.1 Overview
- 2.9 Annex A - History of Manner of Manufacture
- 2.10 Divisional Applications (Sections 79B and 79C)
- 2.10.1 Application
- 2.10.1A Application
- 2.10.2 Priority Entitlement
- 2.10.2A Priority Entitlement
- 2.10.3 Time Limits for Filing Applications
- 2.10.3A Time Limits for Filing Applications
- 2.10.4 Status of Parent
- 2.10.5 Subject Matter
- 2.10.5A Subject Matter
- 2.10.6 Acceptance
- 2.10.7 Continuation Fees
- 2.10.8 Dividing From a Provisional Application
- 2.10.9 Considering Relative Cases During Examination
- 2.10.10 Amendment of Patent Request - Conversion of Application to a Divisional
- 2.10.10A Amendment of Patent Request - Conversion of Application to a Divisional
- 2.10.11 Case Management of Divisional Applications
- Annex A - Procedural Outline to Divisional Application Examination
- 2.11 Section 40 - Specifications
- 2.11.1 Overview
- 2.11.1A Overview
- 2.11.2 Construction of Specifications
- 2.11.2.3 Construction of Claims
- 2.11.2.3.1 The Claims are Construed as a Legal Document
- 2.11.2.3.2 A Presumption is Made Against Redundancy
- 2.11.2.3.3 "For Use", "When Used", etc
- 2.11.2.3.3A "For Use", "When Used", etc
- 2.11.2.3.4 "Comprises", "Includes", "Consists of" and "Contains"
- 2.11.2.3.5 Reference Numerals in Claims
- 2.11.2.3.6 Appendancies
- 2.11.2.3.7 Relative Terms
- 2.11.2.3.8 "Substantially" and "About"
- 2.11.2.3.9 Omnibus Claims
- 2.11.2.3.9A Omnibus Claims
- 2.11.2.3.10 Swiss Claims
- 2.11.2.3.11 Product by Process Claims
- 2.11.2.3.12 Parametric Claims
- 2.11.2.1 The Addressee
- 2.11.2.2 Rules of Construction
- 2.11.2.2.1 Construction of Patent Specifications a Question of Law
- 2.11.2.2.2 Words are Given their Plain Meaning
- 2.11.2.2.3 Read the Specification as a Whole
- 2.11.2.2.3A Read the Specification as a Whole
- 2.11.2.2.4 Purposive Construction
- 2.11.2.2.5 Dictionary Principle
- 2.11.2.2.6 Reject the Absurd
- 2.11.2.2.7 The Description Construed as a Technical Document
- 2.11.2.2.8 Errors, Mistakes, Omissions
- 2.11.2.4 What is the Invention?
- 2.11.2.4.1 General Considerations
- 2.11.2.4.2 Approach in Lockwood v Doric
- 2.11.2.4.3 Consistory Clause
- 2.11.2.4.3A Consistory Clause
- 2.11.2.4.4 Requirement for Critical Analysis
- 2.11.2.4.5 "Essential Features" of the Invention
- 2.11.2.4A What is the Invention?
- 2.11.3 Full Description, Best Method
- 2.11.3.1 Date for Determining Full Description
- 2.11.3.2 Can the Nature of the Invention be Ascertained?
- 2.11.3.3 Compliance with Subsection 40(2) is a Question of Fact
- 2.11.3.4 Enabling Disclosures
- 2.11.3.5 Effort Required to Perform the Invention
- 2.11.3.6 Different Aspects Claimed in Different Claims
- 2.11.3.7 Inclusion of References
- 2.11.3.8 Trade Marks in Specifications
- 2.11.3.9 Colour Drawings and Photographs
- 2.11.3.10 Claims as Basis of Disclosure
- 2.11.3.11 Contravention of Laws of Nature - e.g. Perpetual Motion Machines
- 2.11.3.12 Relative Terms
- 2.11.3.13 Starting Materials
- 2.11.3.14 Cyclic Inventions
- 2.11.3.15 Biological Inventions and the Budapest Treaty
- 2.11.3.16 Distinction Between Lack of Full Description, Inutility and False Suggestion
- 2.11.3.17 Best Method of Performing the Invention
- 2.11.3.18 At Least One Method Must be Disclosed
- 2.11.3.19 Only One Preferred Embodiment is Required
- 2.11.3A Clear Enough and Complete Enough Disclosure
- 2.11.3.1A Date for Determining Clear Enough and Complete Enough Disclosure
- 2.11.3.3A Compliance with Subsection 40(2) is a Question of Fact
- 2.11.3.4A Principles for Examination
- 2.11.3.4.1A Clarity of Disclosure
- 2.11.3.4.2A Section 40 Enabling Disclosures
- 2.11.3.4.3A Undue Burden
- 2.11.3.7A Inclusion of References
- 2.11.3.8A Trade Marks in Specifications
- 2.11.3.9A Colour Drawings, Graphics and Photographs
- 2.11.3.10A Claims as Basis of Disclosure
- 2.11.3.11A Contravention of Laws of Nature - e.g. Perpetual Motion Machines
- 2.11.3.12A Relative Terms
- 2.11.3.14A Cyclic Inventions
- 2.11.3.15A Biological Inventions and the Budapest Treaty
- 2.11.3.17A Best Method of Performing the Invention
- 2.11.3.18A At Least One Method Must be Disclosed
- 2.11.3.19A Only One Preferred Embodiment is Required
- 2.11.4 Claims Define the Invention
- 2.11.4A Claims Define the Invention
- 2.11.5 Claims are Clear
- 2.11.5.1 Length of Claim
- 2.11.5.2 One Sentence
- 2.11.5.3 Redundant Claims
- 2.11.5.4 Different Combinations of Integers
- 2.11.5.5 Dictionary Definitions
- 2.11.5.6 Cross-References
- 2.11.5.6A Cross-References
- 2.11.5.7 Trade marks in claims
- 2.11.5.7A Trade Marks in Claims
- 2.11.5.8 Disclaimers
- 2.11.5.9 Imprecise Terms - e.g. "About"
- 2.11.5.10 Appendancy Issues
- 2.11.6 Claims are Succinct
- 2.11.7 Claims are Fairly Based
- 2.11.7.1 General Principles
- 2.11.7.2 Sub-Tests for Fair Basis
- 2.11.7.3 Relationship Between the Invention Described and the Invention Claimed
- 2.11.7.4 Only Disclosure is in a Claim
- 2.11.7.5 Alternatives in a Claim
- 2.11.7.6 Claiming by Result
- 2.11.7.7 Reach-Through Claims
- 2.11.7.8 Claims to Alloys
- 2.11.7A Support for the Claims
- 2.11.7.1A Principles for Examination
- 2.11.7.2A Subsection 40(2)(a) 'Clear and Complete Disclosure' v Subsection 40(3) 'Support'
- 2.11.7.3A Inconsistency Between the Invention Disclosed and the Invention Claimed
- 2.11.7.4A Support in View of Proposed Amendments
- 2.11.7.5A Alternatives in a Claim
- 2.11.7.6A Claiming by Result
- 2.11.7.7A Reach-Through Claims
- 2.11.7.8A Claims to Alloys
- 2.11.7.9A Broad or Speculative Claims
- 2.11.7.10A Support Required for Pharmaceutical Inventions and Methods of Treatment
- 2.11.8 Claims Relate to One Invention Only - Lack of Unity
- 2.11.9 Title of the Specification
- 2.11.10 Provisional Specifications
- 2.11.10A Provisional Specifications
- 2.11.11 Complete Applications Associated with Provisional Applications
- 2.11.11A Complete Applications Associated with Provisional Applications
- 2.11.12 Complete Application Treated as a Provisional
- 2.11A Annex A - Examples: Subsections 40(2)(a) and 40(3)
- 2.11A Annex B - Summary of the Clear Enough and Complete Enough Disclosure, Support and Useful (Utility) Provisions
- 2.12 Priority Dates and Filing Dates
- 2.12.1 Priority Dates
- 2.12.1.1 Priority Date of Claims
- 2.12.1.1A Priority Date of Claims
- 2.12.1.2 Priority Date Issues Specific to Associated Applications
- 2.12.1.2A Priority Date Issues Specific to Associated Applications
- 2.12.1.3 Priority Date Issues Specific to Convention Applications
- 2.12.1.3A Priority Date Issues Specific to Convention Applications
- 2.12.1.4 Priority Date Issues Relating to Amended Claims
- 2.12.1.4A Priority Date Issues Relating to Amended Claims
- 2.12.2 Filing Dates
- 2.15 Acceptance of Standard Patent Applications
- 2.15.7 Exending the Time for Acceptance
- 2.15.7.1 Objections Based on "Whole of Contents"
- 2.15.7.2 Objections Based on a Section 27 Notice
- 2.15.7.3 Request for Corrected Translation or Certificate of Verification
- 2.15.7.4 Request for Basic Specification
- 2.15.7.5 Entitlement Disputes During Examination
- 2.15.7.6 Action by a Court or Tribunal
- 2.15.1 Introduction
- 2.15.2 Misleading Unfair or Derogatory References
- 2.15.3 Processes Operated Outside the Jurisdiction of Australian Law
- 2.15.4 Clear Reports
- 2.15.5 Revocation of Acceptance
- 2.15.6 Time for Acceptance
- 2.15.8 Postponement of Acceptance
- 2.17 Publications
- 2.17.1 Significance of Publication
- 2.17.2 Date of Publication
- 2.17.3 OPI Notified by Error
- 2.17.4 Obtaining OPI Date
- 2.17.5 Published Documents
- 2.17.6 Publication Date of PCT and Foreign Specifications for Citation Purposes
- 2.18 Multiple Applications (Sections 64(2) and 101B)
- 2.18.3 Examination Reports
- 2.18.1 Introduction
- 2.18.2 Practice
- 2.18.4 Requirement that Inventors be the Same
- 2.18.5 Inventions Claimed in a Claim
- 2.18.6 Same Invention
- 2.18.7 Priority Dates
- 2.18.8 Additionals/Divisionals
- 2.18.9 Omnibus Claims
- Annex A - Bar-to-Grant Letter
- 2.19 Patents of Addition (Chapter 7)
- 2.19.1 Applications for Patents of Addition
- 2.19.1.1 Introduction
- 2.19.1.2 Neither Can be an Innovation Patent
- 2.19.1.3 Conditions of Filing
- 2.19.1.4 Patent Must be in Force
- 2.19.1.5 Fees
- 2.19.1.6 Authorisation From Parent Application
- 2.19.1.7 Main Invention Ownership Change
- 2.19.1.8 One Parent Only
- 2.19.1.9 Plural Additional Applications
- 2.19.1.10 Additional to an Additional
- 2.19.1.11 May be Both an Additional and Divisional
- 2.19.2 Examination Procedure
- 2.19.3 Improvement and Modification
- 2.19.4 Amendments Add
- 2.19.5 Timing Provisions
- 2.19.6 Differentiation From the Parent
- 2.19.7 Considering Parent File During Examination
- Annex A - Procedural Outline to Patents of Addition Examination
- 2.20 National Phase Applications
- 2.20.3 Patent Request and Entitlement
- 2.20.4 Complete Specification in a Foreign Language
- 2.20.4.1 General Considerations
- 2.20.4.2 Translation Supplied by the Applicant
- 2.20.4.3 Translation Supplied by the International Bureau
- 2.20.5 Priority Considerations
- 2.20.5.1 Priority Sources
- 2.20.5.1A Priority Sources
- 2.20.5.2 Obtaining and Considering Priority Documents
- Annexes
- Annex A - Examination of National Phase Applications: Indicators of Special or Different Considerations
- Annex B - Applicant and Inventor Details as Shown on PCT Pamphlet Front Page
- Annex C - Declaration Under Rule 4.17
- Annex D - Verification of Translation
- Annex E - PCT Pamphlet Front Page
- Annex F - Amended Claims Format
- 2.20.1 Introduction
- 2.20.1.1 Definitions of Terms
- 2.20.1.2 Key Features of the Legislation
- 2.20.1.2A Key Features of the Legislation
- 2.20.1.3 National Phase Preliminaries
- 2.20.1.3A National Phase Preliminaries
- 2.20.1.4 Formality Requirements
- 2.20.1.4A Formalities Check
- 2.20.2 Classification
- 2.20.6 National Examination Where the ISR is Available
- 2.20.7 National Examination Where the ISR is Missing
- 2.20.8 Use of IPRP
- 2.20.9 According International Filing Dates and Article 25 Applications
- 2.20.10 Amendments and Corrections Prior to Examination
- 2.20.10.1 Determining Whether Amendments Made Under Articles and Rules of the PCT are Considered During Examination
- 2.20.10.1.1 General Provisions
- 2.20.10.1.1A General Provisions
- 2.20.10.1.2 Determining Whether Article 19 and Article 34 Amendments are Considered During Examination
- 2.20.10.1.2A Determining Whether Article 19 and Article 34 Amendments are Considered During Examination
- 2.20.10.1.3 The IASR
- 2.20.10.1.4 The IASF
- 2.20.10.2 Formality Considerations
- 2.20.10.3 Article 19 Amendments
- 2.20.10.4 Article 34 Amendments
- 2.20.10.5 Translation of Amendments
- 2.20.10.6 Amendments Resulting in a Claim to New Matter
- 2.20.10.7 Rule 91 Amendments
- 2.20.10.8 Rule 92bis Amendments
- 2.20.10.9 Corrected Versions of Pamphlet and IPRPII
- 2.20.11 Amendments During Examination
- 2.20.11A Amendments During Examination
- 2.20.12 Chapter 15 Applications (Sections 147 to 153)
- 2.21 Convention Applications
- 2.21.2 Convention Countries
- 2.21.2.1 Convention Country Listing
- 2.21.2.1A Convention Country Listing
- 2.21.2.2 Basic Applications Filed Before Intergovernmental Organisations
- 2.21.2.3 Convention Country Status Change
- 2.21.2.3A Convention Country Status Change
- 2.21.3 Making Convention Applications
- 2.21.3.1 General Requirements
- 2.21.3.2 Who May Apply
- 2.21.3.3 Basic Applications
- 2.21.3.4 Timing Provisions Convention
- 2.21.3.5 Basic Application Outside 12 Month Convention Period
- 2.21.3.5A Basic Application Outside 12 Month Convention Period
- 2.21.3.6 Basic Applications Having a Parent Application
- 2.21.3.7 Patent Requests and Entitlement
- 2.21.3.8 Basic Specifications
- 2.21.3.9 Converting Convention Applications to Non-Convention, and Vice Versa
- 2.21.3.10 Translation Requirements
- 2.21.3.11 Date of Basic Application
- 2.21.3.12 Convention Priority Dates
- 2.21.3.12A Convention Priority Dates
- 2.21.1 Introduction
- 2.22 Re-Examination
- 2.22.3 When Re-Examination Applies
- 2.22.3.1 Between Acceptance and Grant (Applications for Standard Patents)
- 2.22.3.2 Post-Grant (Standard and Innovation Patents)
- 2.22.3.3 Re-examination of Standard Applications and Innovation Patents
- 2.22.4 Re-Examination Consideration
- 2.22.4.1 Scope of the Consideration
- 2.22.4.2 Re-Examination Request
- 2.22.4.3 Material Considered During Re-Examination
- 2.22.4.4 Re-Examination in Light of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)
- 2.22.5 Re-Examination Report
- 2.22.5.1 Initial Report
- 2.22.5.2 Statement under Section 99 or Section 101H
- 2.22.5.3 Copy of the Statement under Section 99 or Section 101H
- 2.22.5.4 Subsequent Adverse Reports
- 2.22.5.5 Proposed Amendments are Allowable
- 2.22.5.6 Proposed Amendments are not Allowable
- 2.22.5.7 Supervision of Reports
- 2.22.6 Completion of Re-Examination Process
- 2.22.6.1 Completion of Re-Examination in an Opposition Proceeding
- 2.22.6.2 Conclusion of Re-Examination Otherwise
- 2.22.8 Refusal to Grant a Patent Following Re-examination
- 2.22.9 Revocation of Patent Following Re-examination
- 2.22.9.1 Decision by the Commissioner
- 2.22.9.2 Where Proceedings are Pending
- 2.22.9.3 Appeal by the Patentee
- 2.22.9.4 Appeal by a Third Party
- 2.22.1 Introduction
- 2.22.2 Transitional Provisions
- 2.22.7 Copy of Report on Re-Examination
- Annex A - Re-examination Processing
- Annex B - Intention to Re-Examine Letter
- Annex C - Re-Examination Checklist
- 2.23 Amendments
- 2.23.2 General Provisions - Section 104 Amendments
- 2.23.2.1 Who May Request Amendment
- 2.23.2.2 When Amendment May Be Requested
- 2.23.2.3 What Documents Can Be Amended
- 2.23.2.4 Withdrawal of Amendment Request
- 2.23.2.5 Multiple Requests for Amendment
- 2.23.2.6 National Phase Applications
- 2.23.2.7 Priority in Reporting on Voluntary Requests to Amend
- 2.23.2.8 Unfinalised Proposed Amendments Prior to Examination
- 2.23.3 Formalities
- 2.23.3.1 Form of Request to Amend
- 2.23.3.2 The Document to be Amended
- 2.23.3.3 When Amendments are OPI
- 2.23.3.4 Amendments Arising Out of Decisions or Directions Under Appeal
- 2.23.3.5 Relevant Proceedings Pending
- 2.23.3.6 Consent of Exclusive Licensee or Mortgagee Required
- 2.23.3.7 Requirements in Relation to Providing Reasons for Proposed Amendments
- 2.23.3.8 Form Amendments Should Take
- 2.23.3.9 Amending a Complete Specification Under Section 104 to Comply with a Regulation 3.2A Direction
- 2.23.3.10 Incorporating Amendments into the Specification
- 2.23.3.11 Amendments to Amino Acid and/or Nucleotide Sequences in Electronic Form
- 2.23.4 Fees
- 2.23.4.1 Fees Required for Amendment Requests
- 2.23.4.2 Request to Amend Where Patent/Application is not in Force
- 2.23.5 Granting Leave to Amend/Allowing the Amendments
- 2.23.5.1 Granting Leave to Amend
- 2.23.5.2 Publishing a Notice of the Granting of Leave to Amend
- 2.23.5.3 Allowing Amendments After Granting Leave
- 2.23.5.4 Allowing Amendments Upon Acceptance of a Patent Request and Complete
- 2.23.5.5 Allowing Amendments Immediately Prior to OPI
- 2.23.5.6 Revocation of Leave to Amend
- 2.23.9 Allowability Under Section 102(2) etc
- 2.23.9.1 General Comments
- 2.23.9.1A General Comments
- 2.23.9.2 Meaning of fall within the scope of the claims
- 2.23.9.3 Allowability Under Section 102(2)(a)
- 2.23.9.4 Broadening the Scope of the Claims
- 2.23.9.5 Allowability and Omnibus Claims
- 2.23.9.5A Allowability and Omnibus Claims
- 2.23.9.6 Allowability Under Section 102(2)(b)
- 2.23.10 "Clerical Error" and "Obvious Mistake"
- 2.23.10.1 General Comments
- 2.23.10.2 Clerical Error
- 2.23.10.3 Obvious Mistake
- 2.23.10.4 Evidence Required to Prove a Clerical Error or Obvious Mistake
- 2.23.11 Amendments After the Grant of a Patent
- 2.23.12 Other Allowability Issues Concerning Amendments to Complete Specifications
- 2.23.12.1 Amendments Relating to Micro-Organisms
- 2.23.12.2 Amendments Otherwise not Allowable to a Complete Specification
- 2.23.14 Amendments During Section 59 Opposition and Section 101M Opposition Proceedings
- 2.23.14.4 Considering the Amendments
- 2.23.14.4.1 Task Priority
- 2.23.14.4.2 Proposed Amendments are Allowable
- 2.23.14.4.3 Proposed Amendments are not Allowable
- 2.23.14.4.4 Further Proposed Amendments
- 2.23.14.4.5 Dealing with Comments
- 2.23.14.1 General Comments
- 2.23.14.2 Issuing the Invitation
- 2.23.14.3 (reserved)
- 2.23.14.5 Amendments as a Result of a Decision
- 2.23.14.6 Opposing Allowance of the Amendments
- 2.23.14.7 Amendments Where Opposition Decision is Being Appealed
- 2.23.15 Opposition to Amendments
- Annexes
- Annex A - Section 104 Amendments During Opposition Proceedings: Check Sheet
- Annex B - Guidelines for Completing the Voluntary Section 104 Allowance Form
- 2.23.1 Introduction
- 2.23.6 Amendments to Complete Specifications
- 2.23.7 Allowability of Amendments to Complete Specifications
- 2.23.7A Allowability of Amendments to Complete Specifications
- 2.23.8 Allowability under Section 102(1)
- 2.23.8A Allowability Under Section 102(1)
- 2.23.13 Amendment of a Patent Request or of Other Filed Documents
- 2.23.13.1 Amendment of Patent Request
- 2.23.13.2 Amending a Standard Patent Request to an Innovation Patent
- 2.23.13.3 Amending a Non-Convention Patent Request to a Convention Patent Request
- 2.23.13.4 Amending a Convention Patent Request to a Non-Convention Patent Request
- 2.23.13.5 Amending Convention Particulars on a Patent Request
- 2.23.13.6 Adding a Second or Subsequent Basic Application to a Convention
- 2.23.13.7 Amending a Patent Request to a Patent Request for a Patent of Addition
- 2.23.13.8 Amendments to a Provisional Specification
- 2.23.13.8A Amendments to a Provisional Specification
- 2.23.13.9 Amending a Request for Examination
- 2.23.13.10 Amendments to "other filed documents"
- 2.23.16 Amendment of Refused Application
- 2.24 Requesting and Directing Examination, Withdrawal, Lapsing, Extension of Term
- 2.24.1 Requesting and Directing Examination
- 2.24.2 Withdrawal of Applications (Section 141, Regulation 13.1A)
- 2.24.2.1 Withdrawal Opportunity and Effect
- 2.24.2.2 The Request for Withdrawal
- 2.24.2.3 PCT Application
- 2.24.2.4 Stated Disinterest in Proceeding with the Application
- 2.24.2.5 Indexing if Withdrawn After OPI
- 2.24.2.6 Amendments Proposed After Withdrawn
- 2.24.2.7 Related Applications
- 2.24.3 Lapsing of an Application
- 2.24.3.1 Lapsing Under Section 142
- 2.24.3.2 Lapsing for Non-payment of Continuation Fee
- 2.24.3.3 Lapsing Under Section 148
- 2.24.3.4 Lapsing Under Regulations 3.2A(5) and 3.2B(3)
- 2.24.3.5 Lapsing under Regulation 22.2B
- 2.24.4 Extension of Term (Chapter 6, Part 3)
- 2.24.5 Dealing with Lapsed, Withdrawn, Refused, Revoked, Ceased and Expired Cases
- 2.25 The Register of Patents (Chapter 19)
- 2.25.1 The Register
- 2.25.2 Entries in the Register
- 2.25.3 Registration of, and Amendment to, Particulars
- 2.25.4 Correction of the Register
- 2.25.5 Obtaining Information from Register
- 2.26 Employees, Delegations, Administration
- 2.26.1 Restrictions on Patent Office Staff (Sections 182-185)
- 2.26.1.1 Trafficking in Inventions, Trafficking Exemptions
- 2.26.1.2 Provision of Advice
- 2.26.1.3 Helping to Prepare Documents
- 2.26.1.4 Use of Search Material and Information
- 2.26.2 Conflict of Interest
- 2.26.3 Information Obtainable From the Commissioner (Section 194)
- 2.26.4 Delegations (Section 209)
- 2.26.4.1 Statutory Provisions
- 2.26.4.2 Types of Delegations Made by the Commissioner
- 2.26.4.3 Remaking Delegations
- 2.26.4.4 Revoking Delegations
- 2.26.4.5 General Issues Regarding Delegations
- 2.26.4.6 Preparation of Delegations
- 2.26.4.7 Implied Delegations
- 2.26.5 Secret Cases
- 2.27 Payment of Fees (Section 227)
- 2.27.1 Prescribed Fees
- 2.27.2 Fee Payment Basis
- 2.27.3 Fees Not Paid or Requested
- 2.27.4 When Refund or Transfer Not Available
- 2.27.5 Actioning of Requests for Refund or Exemption
- 2.27.6 Mention of Fee Treatment in Examiner's Report
- 2.27.7 Error or Omission in the Patent Office
- 2.27.8 Continuation Fee Timing
- 2.27.9 Exemption From Fees
- 2.27.10 Refund of Certain Fees Regulation 22.7(1)
- 2.28 Transitional and Savings Provisions
- 2.28.1 Introduction
- 2.28.2 Provisions of the Patents Act 1990 (as in Force Immediately Before 15 April 2013)
- 2.28.3 Patent Applications Filed, and Patents Granted, Under the Patents Act 1952
- 2.30 Patent Deed
- 2.31 Innovation Patents
- 2.31.1 Features of the System
- 2.31.1.1 Introduction
- 2.31.1.2 Filing
- 2.31.1.3 Formalities Check
- 2.31.1.4 Acceptance and Grant
- 2.31.1.5 Examination
- 2.31.1.6 Certification
- 2.31.1.7 Opposition
- 2.31.1.8 Re-Examination
- 2.31.1.9 Ceasing/Expiring
- 2.31.1.10 Amendments
- 2.31.1.11 Notification by Third Parties
- 2.31.2 Types of Innovation Patent Application
- 2.31.2.1 Section 79B and Section 79C Divisional Applications
- 2.31.2.2 Association with Provisional Applications
- 2.31.2.3 Patents of Addition Innovation
- 2.31.2.4 Convention Applications
- 2.31.2.5 International (PCT) Applications
- 2.31.2.6 Parallel Applications
- 2.31.3 Formalities Check for Innovation Patents
- 2.31.4 Examination
- 2.31.4.5 Ground (2): Subsection 18(1A)
- 2.31.4.5.1 Requirements
- 2.31.4.5.2 Patentable Subject Matter (Manner of Manufacture)
- 2.31.4.5.3 Novelty
- 2.31.4.5.4 Innovative Step
- 2.31.4.5.4A Innovative Step
- 2.31.4.1 Introduction
- 2.31.4.2 Period for Examination to be Carried Out
- 2.31.4.3 Grounds of Examination
- 2.31.4.3A Grounds of Examination
- 2.31.4.4 Ground (1): Section 40
- 2.31.4.6 Ground (3): Subsections 18(2) and (3)
- 2.31.4.7 Amendments
- Annex A - Procedural Outline for Innovation Patent Application Formalities Check by Examiners
- Annex B - Procedural Outline for Examination of an Innovation Patent
- Annex C - Key Features of Innovation Patent System
- 2.1 General Approach to Examination
- 2.1.6 Examination and Report Requirements
- 2.1.6.2 Examination and Level of Report Detail
- 2.1.6.2.1 Clarity
- 2.1.6.2.2 Full Description
- 2.1.6.2.2A Clear Enough and Complete Enough Disclosure
- 2.1.6.2.3 Fair Basis
- 2.1.6.2.3A Support
- 2.1.6.2.4 Lack of Unity
- 2.1.6.2.5 Patentability Issues Including Patentable Subject Matter (Manner of Manufacture)
- 2.1.6.2.6 Novelty and Inventive Step
- 2.1.6.1 Overview
- 2.1.7 Citations
- 2.1.7.1 Discussion of Citations
- 2.1.7.2 Identifying Citations
- 2.1.7.3 Assertion of Common General Knowledge and Mosaicing
- 2.1.7.4 Citing Many Citations
- 2.1.7.5 Non-Patent Literature
- 2.1.7.6 Providing Copies of Patent Documents
- 2.1.7.7 Unavailable or Untranslatable Citations
- 2.1.9 Guidelines for Using IPRPI/IPRPIIs and Other Foreign Examination Reports (FERs) in Examination
- 2.1.9.4 FERs and Report Formulation
- 2.1.9.4.1 Objections Based on FER
- 2.1.9.4.2 Identifying Citations, Multiple Citations
- 2.1.9.4.3 New Citations at Further Report
- 2.1.9.1 Introduction
- 2.1.9.2 FER Retrieval
- 2.1.9.3 FER Validation
- 2.1.9.3.1 Claim Comparison
- 2.1.9.3.2 Not All Claims Previously Searched and/or Examined
- 2.1.9.3.2A Not All Claims Previously Searched and/or Examined
- 2.1.9.3.3 Validation of Novelty and Inventive Step Findings
- 2.1.9.3.4 Law and Practice Differences
- 2.1.9.3.4A Law and Practice Differences
- 2.1.9.3.5 Other Considerations Independent of FER Validity
- 2.1.9.5 FERs and Lack of Unity
- 2.1.9.6 FERs and Complex Cases
- 2.1.1 Introduction
- 2.1.2 Searching and Use of IPRPI/IPRPIIs and Other Foreign Examination Reports
- 2.1.3 Flexible Approach for Complex Cases
- 2.1.4 Restriction of the Extent of the Report
- 2.1.4A Restriction of the Extent of the Report
- 2.1.5 Inconsistent or Piecemeal Examination
- 2.1.8 Furthers
- Annex A - Open Patent Services (OPS) FER Process
- 2.6 Applicants and Nominated Persons, Patent Requests, Entitlement
- 2.6.2 Patent Requests
- 2.6.2.1 The Request
- 2.6.2.2 Amendment of a Request
- 2.6.2.3 Name of the Applicant and Inventor
- 2.6.2.4 Address for Correspondence
- 2.6.2.5 Address for Service
- 2.6.2.6 Details of Related Applications
- 2.6.3 Entitlement
- 2.6.3.1 Notices of Entitlement
- 2.6.3.2 Identification of the Application
- 2.6.3.3 Who Can Make the Notice
- 2.6.3.4 Statements of Devolution
- 2.6.3.5 Section 15(1)(b) - Service Agreements
- 2.6.4 Changing the Applicant or Nominated Person
- 2.6.4.1 General Considerations
- 2.6.4.2 Section 113 Amendments (Assignment, Agreement or Operation of Law)
- 2.6.4.3 Section 104 Amendments
- 2.6.1 Applicants and Nominated Persons
- Annex A - Examples of Legal Persons
- Annex B - Examples of Organisations of Uncertain Status as Legal Persons
- 2.13 Examination
- 2.13.2 Applications in a State of Lapse, or Lapsed
- 2.13.2.1 Forms of Lapsing
- 2.13.2.2 Lapsing Prior to Issuing First Report
- 2.13.2.3 Lapsing at Further Report
- 2.13.4 Request for Examination
- 2.13.4.1 Request Procedures
- 2.13.4.2 Order of Examination
- 2.13.4.3 Expedited Examination
- 2.13.4.4 Expedited Examination Under the Global Patent Prosecution Highway
- 2.13.4.5 Expedited Examination Under the IP Australia-European Patent Office Patent Prosecution Highway
- 2.13.5 Stringency of Tests During Examination
- 2.13.5.1 Introduction
- 2.13.5.1A Introduction
- 2.13.5.2 Balance of Probabilities
- 2.13.5.2A Balance of Probabilities
- 2.13.5.3 Benefit of Doubt
- 2.13.7 Amendments
- 2.13.7.1 Amendments in Anticipation
- 2.13.7.2 Notice of Incoming Amendments
- 2.13.7.3 Amendments in Partial Response to a Report
- 2.13.7.4 Suggesting Amendments
- 2.13.7.5 Late Filing of Amendments and Responses
- 2.13.11 Notices Under Section 27
- 2.13.13 Examining Cases Subject to a Prohibition Order
- 2.13.13.1 Statutory Basis
- 2.13.13.2 Initial Handling
- 2.13.13.3 Allocation and Handling of Cases
- 2.13.13.4 Searching Prohibited Cases
- 2.13.13.5 Recording Search/Classification Details
- 2.13.15 Preliminary Search and Opinion (PSO)
- 2.13.15.5 Opinion
- 2.13.15.5.1 Novelty and Inventive Step
- 2.13.15.5.2 Patentable Subject Matter
- 2.13.15.5.3 Other Issues
- 2.13.15.1 Introduction
- 2.13.15.2 Applicant Requested PSO
- 2.13.15.3 Amendments
- 2.13.15.4 Search Procedure
- 2.13.15.6 PSO Form Completion
- 2.13.15.7 Response to PSO
- Annexes
- Annex A - Procedural Outline for Full Examination of a Standard Patent Application
- Annex B - Guidelines for Completing the Final Report Form
- 2.13.1 Initial Considerations
- 2.13.3 Pending Section 223 Actions
- 2.13.6 Matters of Form
- 2.13.8 Review of Classification
- 2.13.9 Searching
- 2.13.10 (reserved)
- 2.13.12 Other Prescribed Matters
- 2.13.14 Copying of Material and Copyright Implications
- 2.14 Modified Examination
- 2.16 Petty Patents
- 2.29 Formalities and Forms
- 2.29.1 Introduction
- 2.29.2 Fitness for Reproduction
- 2.29.3 Numbering of Pages
- 2.29.4 Substitute Pages of Specifications
- 2.29.5 Substitute Documents
- 2.29.6 Units and Terminology
- 2.29.7 Forms
- 2.29.8 Return or Deletion of Filed Documents
- 2.29.9 Requirements for Amino Acids and Nucelotide Sequences on Compact Disc
- 2.29.10 Signature Requirements for Received Documents
- 2.29.11 Drawings, Graphics and Photographs
- 2.29.12 Scandalous Matter
- 2.29.13 Numbering of Claims
- Printable Version
- 3. Oppositions, Disputes and Extensions
- 3.1 Role and Powers of the Commissioner in Hearings
- 3.2 Opposition, Disputes and Other Proceedings - Procedural Summaries
- 3.2.1 Section 59 - Opposition to Grant of a Standard Patent
- 3.2.1.1 Commencing the Opposition - Filing a Notice of Opposition
- 3.2.1.2 Filing the Statement of Grounds and Particulars
- 3.2.1.3 Evidence and Evidentiary Periods
- 3.2.1.4 Finalising the Opposition
- 3.2.2 Section 101M - Opposition to an Innovation Patent
- 3.2.2.1 Commencing the Opposition - Filing the Opposition Documents
- 3.2.2.2 Evidence and Evidentiary Periods
- 3.2.2.3 Finalising the Opposition
- 3.2.3 Section 75(1) - Opposition to an Extension of Term of a Pharmaceutical Patent
- 3.2.3.1 Commencing the Opposition - Filing a Notice of Opposition
- 3.2.3.2 Filing the Statement of Grounds and Particulars
- 3.2.3.3 Evidence and Evidentiary Periods
- 3.2.3.4 Finalising the Opposition
- 3.2.4 Section 104(4) - Opposition to a Request to Amend a Filed Document
- 3.2.4.1 Commencing the Opposition - Filing a Notice of Opposition
- 3.2.4.2 Filing the Statement of Grounds and Particulars
- 3.2.4.3 Evidence and Evidentiary Periods
- 3.2.4.4 Finalising the Opposition
- 3.2.5 Section 223(6) - Opposition to an Extension of Time under Subsection 223(2) or 223(2A)
- 3.2.5.1 Commencing the Opposition - Filing a Notice of Opposition
- 3.2.5.2 Filing the Statement of Grounds and Particulars
- 3.2.5.3 Evidence and Evidentiary Periods
- 3.2.5.4 Finalising the Opposition
- 3.2.6 Reg 22.21(4) - Opposition to Grant of a Licence
- 3.2.6.1 Commencing the Opposition - Filing a Notice of Opposition
- 3.2.6.2 Filing the Statement of Grounds and Particulars
- 3.2.6.3 Evidence and Evidentiary Periods
- 3.2.6.4 Finalising the Opposition
- 3.2.7 Sections 17 & 32 - Disputes Between Applicants and Co-Owners
- 3.2.8 Entitlement - Sections 33, 34, 35, 36 and 191A
- 3.3 Directions
- 3.3.1 Directions in Opposition Proceedings
- 3.3.1.1 Direction to Stay an Opposition Pending Another Action
- 3.3.1.2 Further and Better Particulars
- 3.3.1.3 Time for Filing Evidence in a Substantive Opposition
- 3.3.1.4 Time for Filing Evidence in a Procedural Opposition
- 3.3.1.5 General Conduct of Proceedings
- 3.3.1.6 Further Directions
- 3.3.2 Directions that an Application Proceed in Different Name(s) - Section 113
- 3.4 Opposition Documents - Requirements and Amendments
- 3.4.1 The Notice of Opposition
- 3.4.2 The Statement of Grounds and Particulars
- 3.4.3 Amending Opposition Documents
- 3.4.4 Filing Opposition Documents
- 3.5 Evidence
- 3.5.1 Presentation of Evidence
- 3.5.1.1 Written Evidence and Declarations
- 3.5.1.2 Oral Evidence
- 3.5.1.3 Physical Evidence - Special Considerations
- 3.5.2 Admissibility of Evidence
- 3.5.3 Evidence Filed Out of Time
- 3.6 Production of Documents, Summonsing Witnesses
- 3.6.1 Requests for the Commissioner to Exercise Powers under Section 210(a) and (c)
- 3.6.2 Basis for Issuing a Summons
- 3.6.3 Basis for Requiring Production
- 3.6.4 Reasonable Expenses
- 3.6.5 Complying with the Notice or Summons, Reasonable Excuses
- 3.6.6 Sanctions for Non-Compliance
- 3.6.7 Schedule to Requests for Summons or Notice to Produce
- 3.7 Withdrawal and Dismissal of an Opposition
- 3.7.1 Withdrawal of an Opposition
- 3.7.2 Dismissal of an Opposition
- 3.7.2.1 Requests for Dismissal
- 3.7.2.2 Dismissal on the Initiative of the Commissioner
- 3.7.2.3 Reasons for Dismissal
- 3.7.3 Withdrawal of an Opposed Application
- 3.8 Hearings and Decisions
- 3.8.2 Hearings Procedure
- 3.8.2.1 Overview of Proceedings
- 3.8.2.2 Adjournment of Hearings
- 3.8.2.3 Contact with Parties Outside of Hearing
- 3.8.2.4 Hearings Involving Confidential Material
- 3.8.2.5 Consultation with Other Hearing Officers
- 3.8.2.6 Hearings and the Police
- 3.8.3 Ex Parte Hearings
- 3.8.4 Natural Justice and Bias
- 3.8.4.1 Rules
- 3.8.4.2 Waiving of Objection of Bias by Standing by until Decision Issued
- 3.8.4.3 Bias as a Result of Contact with Parties Outside of Hearing
- 3.8.4.4 Bias as a Result of Other Proceedings Involving the Same Parties
- 3.8.6 Decisions
- 3.8.6.1 Written Decisions
- 3.8.6.2 Time for Issuing a Decision
- 3.8.6.3 Publication of Decisions
- 3.8.6.4 Rectification of Errors or Omissions in Decisions
- 3.8.6.5 Revocation of Decisions
- 3.8.8 Final Determinations
- 3.8.8.1 Overview of Proceedings
- 3.8.8.2 Applicant Does Not Propose Amendments
- 3.8.8.3 Opponent Withdraws the Opposition
- 3.8.9 Quality
- 3.8.10 Appointment of Hearing Officers and Assistant Hearing Officers, Hearing Officer Standards Panel, Hearing Officer Delegations
- 3.8.10.1 Hearing Officers
- 3.8.10.2 Assistant Hearing Officers
- 3.8.10.3 Hearing Officer Standards Panel
- 3.8.10.4 Hearing Officer Delegations
- 3.8.1 Setting Down Hearings
- 3.8.1.1 Setting of Hearing
- 3.8.1.2 Location and Options for Appearing
- 3.8.1.3 Hours of a Hearing
- 3.8.1.4 Hearing Fee
- 3.8.1.5 Who May Appear at a Hearing?
- 3.8.1.6 Relevant Court Actions Pending
- 3.8.5 Principles of Conduct
- 3.8.5.1 Lawfulness
- 3.8.5.2 Fairness
- 3.8.5.3 Rationality
- 3.8.5.4 Openness
- 3.8.5.5 Diligence and Efficiency
- 3.8.5.6 Courtesy and Integrity
- 3.8.7 Further Hearings
- 3.9 Costs
- 3.9.1 Principles in Awarding Costs
- 3.9.2 Scale of Costs, Variation of the Scale
- 3.9.3 Awarding Costs, Taxation
- 3.9.4 Security for Costs
- 3.9.5 Exemplary Situations in Awarding Costs
- 3.10 The Register of Patents
- 3.10.1 What is the Register?
- 3.10.2 Recording Particulars in the Register
- 3.10.2.1 Recording New Particulars in the Register
- 3.10.2.2 Change of Ownership
- 3.10.2.2.1 Assignment
- 3.10.2.2.2 Change of Name
- 3.10.2.2.3 Bankruptcy
- 3.10.2.2.4 Winding Up of Companies
- 3.10.2.2.5 Death of Patentee
- 3.10.2.3 Security Interests
- 3.10.2.4 Licences
- 3.10.2.5 Court Orders
- 3.10.2.6 Equitable Interests
- 3.10.2.7 Effect of Registration or Non-Registration
- 3.10.2.8 Trusts
- 3.10.2.9 False Entries in the Register
- 3.10.3 Amendment of the Register
- 3.11 Extensions of Time and Restoration of the Right of Priority
- 3.11.1 Extensions of Time - Section 223
- 3.11.1.1 Relevant Act
- 3.11.1.2 Subsection 223(1) - Office Error
- 3.11.1.2.1 Extensions under Subsection 223(1) to Gain Acceptance
- Annex A - Section 223(1) Extension of Time for Acceptance File Note
- 3.11.1.3 Subsection 223(2) - Error or Omission and Circumstances Beyond Control
- 3.11.1.3.1 The Law
- 3.11.1.3.2 Subsection 223(2)(a) - Error or Omission
- 3.11.1.3.3 Section 223(2)(b) - Circumstances Beyond Control
- 3.11.1.3.4 Filing a Request under Subsection 223(2)
- 3.11.1.3.5 The Commissioner's Discretion
- 3.11.1.4 Subsection 223(2A) - Despite Due Care
- 3.11.1.5 Common Deficiencies in Requests under Section 223(2) or (2A)
- 3.11.1.6 Advertising an Extension - Subsection 223(4)
- 3.11.1.7 Extension of Time for an Extension of Term
- 3.11.1.8 Grace Period Extensions
- 3.11.1.9 Extension of Time to Gain Acceptance
- 3.11.1.10 Examination Report Delayed or Not Received
- 3.11.1.11 Co-pending Section 104 Application - Budapest Treaty Details
- 3.11.1.12 Payment of Continuation or Renewal Fees Pending a Section 223 Applicaiton
- 3.11.1.13 Person Concerned: Change of Ownership
- 3.11.1.14 Date of a Patent Where an Extension of Time is Granted to Claim Priority
- 3.11.2 Extensions of Time - Reg 5.9
- 3.11.2.1 Requesting an Extension of Time
- 3.11.2.2 Application of the Law
- 3.11.2.3 Justification for the Extension
- 3.11.2.4 Discretionary Matters
- 3.11.2.5 Period of an Extension
- 3.11.2.6 A Hearing in Relation to an Extension
- 3.11.2.7 Parties Involved in Negotiations
- 3.11.2.8 Review of a Decision to Grant or Refuse an Extension
- 3.11.2.9 "Out of Time" Evidence
- 3.11.3 Extensions of Time - Reg 5.10 (as in force immediately before 15 April 2013)
- 3.11.4 Restoration of the Right of Priority under the PCT
- 3.12 Extension of Term of Standard Patents Relating to Pharmaceutical Substances
- 3.12.3 Processing an Application for an Extension of Term
- 3.12.3.1 Initial Processing
- 3.12.3.2 Consideration of the Application
- 3.12.3.3 Grant of Application for Extension of Term
- 3.12.3.4 Refusal of Application for Extension of Term
- 3.12.1 Section 70 Considerations
- 3.12.1.1 Pharmaceutical Substance per se
- 3.12.1.2 Meaning of Pharmaceutical Substance
- 3.12.1.3 Meaning of "when produced by a process that involves the use of recombinant DNA technology"
- 3.12.1.4 Meaning of "mixture or compound of substances"
- 3.12.1.5 Meaning of "in substance disclosed"
- 3.12.1.6 Meaning of "in substance fall within the scope of the claim"
- 3.12.1.7 Included in the Goods
- 3.12.1.8 First Regulatory Approval Date
- 3.12.2 Applying for an Extension of Term
- 3.12.2.1 Documentation Required
- 3.12.2.2 Time for Applying
- 3.12.2.3 Extension of Time to Apply for an Extension of Term
- 3.12.4 Calculating the Length of the Extension of Term
- 3.12.5 Patents of Addition
- 3.12.6 Divisional Applications
- 3.12.7 Opposition to Extension of Term
- 3.12.8 Relevant Court Proceedings Pending
- 3.12.9 Rectification of the Register
- 3.13 Documents not OPI - Orders for Inspection
- 3.13.1 Documents not-OPI by direction of the Commissioner - Regulation 4.3(2)(b)
- 3.13.2 Inspection of non-OPI documents
- 3.14 Appeals, AAT and Judicial Review, Other Court Actions Involving the Commissioner, Section 105 Amendments
- 3.14.1 Appeals to the Federal Court
- 3.14.2 AAT Review
- 3.14.3 Judicial Review
- 3.14.4 Other Court Actions Involving the Commissioner
- 3.14.5 Section 105 Amendments
- Printable Version
- 4. Classification, Searching and Information Technology
- 4.1 Searching
- Annexes
- Annex A - Comparison: Major Patent Document Database Content
- Annex D - Search Information Statement
- Annex E - Examples and Instructions for completing the SIS for Sequence and Chemical Structure Searches
- Annex F - When to Complete the Search Information Statement (SIS)
- Annex G - Japanese Translations
- Annex H - (reserved)
- Annex L - Establishing Publication Dates and Capturing Internet Citations
- Annex M - Guidelines for using the IEEE Enterprise Subscription
- Annex N - Guidelines for Searching Indian TKDL
- Annex O - Guidelines for Searching DeepDyve
- Annex P - The Role of the Three Person Team (3PT) in Searching
- Annex Q - Google Patents
- Annex R - Espacenet Guide
- Annex S - Japanese Classification
- 4.1.1 Objectives of the Search
- 4.1.2 Search Theory
- 4.1.3 Initial Search Considerations
- 4.1.3.1 Construction and the Inventive Concept
- 4.1.3.2 Earlier Search Results
- 4.1.3.3 Additional Searching
- 4.1.3.4 Top-Up Searching
- 4.1.3.5 Preliminary Search
- 4.1.3.6 Applicant and/or Inventor Name Searching
- 4.1.4 Development of the Search Strategy
- 4.1.4.1 Three Person Team (3PT)
- 4.1.4.2 Search Strategy Considerations
- 4.1.4.2.1 Independent Claims
- 4.1.4.2.2 Dependent Claims
- 4.1.4.2.3 Broad Claims
- 4.1.4.2.4 Reserving the Search
- 4.1.4.2.5 Controlled Language
- 4.1.4.3 Search Area
- 4.1.5 Conducting the Search
- 4.1.6 Recording the Search Details
- 4.3 IPC Distribution
- 4.3.1 IPC Sub-Class and Examination Sections
- 4.3.2 Section CHEM 1 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.3 Section CHEM 2 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.4 Section CHEM 3 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.5 Section CHEM 4 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.6 Section CHEM 5 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.7 Section ELEC 1 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.8 Section ELEC 2 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.9 Section ELEC 3 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.10 Section ELEC 4 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.11 Section MECH 1 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.12 Section MECH 2 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.13 Section MECH 3 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.14 Section MECH 4 - Technology Examined
- 4.3.15 Section MECH 5 - Technology Examined
- 4.6 Patent Family Member Searching
- 4.7 PATADMIN
- 4.7.4 Senior Examination and Supervising Examiner Menu
- 4.7.1 Introduction
- 4.7.2 Starting
- 4.7.3 Menu Items Details
- 4.8 STN
- 4.9 INTESS User Guide
- 4.9.3 INTESS Basics: Getting started, Workflow Diagram, Checklists and Searches
- 4.9.3.1 Workflow Diagrams
- 4.9.3.2 Getting Started
- 4.9.3.2.5 Objects
- 4.9.3.2.5.1 Objects - General Information
- 4.9.3.2.5.2 Names, Priority and RO/AU Admin Objects
- 4.9.3.2.5.3 PCT Search Object
- 4.9.3.2.5.4 PCT Exam Object
- 4.9.3.2.1 Logging On
- 4.9.3.2.2 PPBRG International Patent Case Management Folder
- 4.9.3.2.3 Alert Folder
- 4.9.3.2.4 Handy Folder
- 4.9.3.2.6 Keyboard Shortcuts
- 4.9.3.3 Checklists
- 4.9.3.3.1 International Distributor Process Checklist (New Work/Furthers)
- 4.9.3.3.2 INTESS Process Checklist
- 4.9.3.3.3 INTESS Checklist - Saving documents to INTESS for Canberra Users
- 4.9.3.3.4 INTESS Checklist - Saving documents to INTESS for Viper Users
- 4.9.3.3.5 What Catalogue fields do I need to fill out?
- 4.9.3.4 Searches in INTESS
- 4.9.4 International Work Distribution
- 4.9.4.1 Work Distribution
- 4.9.4.2 Updating Catalogue Fields for International Distribution
- 4.9.4.3 Notification by dropping an eCase Alias into the Alert Folder
- 4.9.5 Examiner Actions in INTESS
- 4.9.5.1 Basic Actions when Assigned a New or Further eCase
- 4.9.5.1.1 INTESS Procedure Overview when Assigned a New or Further eCase
- 4.9.5.1.2 Updating Catalogue Fields for a New Action
- 4.9.5.1.3 Updating Catalogue Fields for a Further Action
- 4.9.5.2 Document Storage
- 4.9.5.3 Saving Documents to Objective
- 4.9.5.4 Sending Documents to the PCT Unit for Processing and Dispatch
- 4.9.5.5 Document Naming Conventions in INTESS
- 4.9.6 Further Actions, New Material and Additional Correspondence (e.g. Invitation to Pay)
- 4.9.6.1 Further Actions and New Material
- 4.9.6.2 Invitation to Pay Additional Search/Exam fees
- 4.9.6.3 Refund of Fees
- 4.9.6.4 Request for Sequence Listing
- 4.9.6.5 Non-Establishment of ISR
- 4.9.6.6 SIS, Rule 91, Change in Abstract and other documents
- 4.9.7 FAQs
- 4.9.7.1 How do I add columns in the viewing window in INTESS?
- 4.9.7.2 How do I export folders/documents to the LAN drive?
- 4.9.7.3 (reserved)
- 4.9.7.4 How do I edit an existing document in INTESS?
- 4.9.7.5 How do I delete a document which has a corporate value?
- 4.9.7.6 What do I do with the eCase alias when I have finished with the eCase?
- 4.9.7.7 How do I add a note and transfer eCases to another section?
- 4.9.7.8 (reserved)
- 4.9.7.9 How do I email a link to an eCase?
- 4.9.7.10 How do I save a Corrected or Amended version of a previously issued document to INTESS
- 4.9.7.11 How do I add an email to the eCase file?
- 4.9.7.12 How can I check if my work has been processed?
- 4.9.7.13 How do I navigate to an eCase or document?
- 4.9.7.14 What do I do with Annexes (Article 19, Article 34 or Rule 91) when sending an IPRPII
- 4.9.8 Tech Sort
- 4.9.8.3 Assessing US PCT Applications
- 4.9.8.1 Overview of the Technology Sort Process
- 4.9.8.2 Assessing Non-US PCT Applications
- 4.9.1 INTESS Contact Information
- 4.9.2 INTESS Overview
- 4.10 ISYS Database and Hearing Database
- 4.10.1 Contents of the ISYS Database
- 4.10.2 File Reliability
- 4.10.3 File Naming Convention
- 4.10.4 Directory Structure for the Database
- 4.10.5 Maintaining the ISYS Database
- 4.10.6 Using the Database
- 4.10.7 Hearings Database
- 4.10.8 Maintenance of the Hearings Database
- 4.11 Using DocGen
- 4.11.3 First Further
- 4.11.3.1 Creating a new First or Further Report – Full Examination
- 4.11.3.2 (reserved)
- 4.11.3.3 (reserved)
- 4.11.3.4 Creating a new First or Further Report – Voluntary Amendment
- 4.11.3.5 Creating a new First or Further Report – Innovation Patent
- 4.11.3.6 Creating a new First or Further Report - Re-examination
- 4.11.3.7 Editing an Existing First or Further Report
- 4.11.4 Article 15(5) Searches
- 4.11.5 PCT/ISA
- 4.11.5.1 Creating an International Search Report (PCT210) and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority (PCT237) and SIS
- 4.11.5.2 Creating a Declaration of Non-establishment of ISR (PCT203) and Written Opinion (PCT237)
- 4.11.5.3 Creating a Notification of Change in Abstract (PCT205)
- 4.11.5.4 Creating an Invitation to Pay Additional Fees (PCT206)
- 4.11.5.5 Creating a Notification of Decision on Protest (PCT 212)
- 4.11.5.6 Creating a Notification of Refund of Search Fee (PCT213)
- 4.11.5.7 Creating an Invitation to Request Rectification (PCT216)
- 4.11.5.8 Creating a Notification of Decision Concerning Request for Rectification (PCT217)
- 4.11.5.9 Creating a Communication in Cases for which No Other Form is Applicable (PCT224)
- 4.11.5.10 Creating an Invitation to Furnish Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Listing (PCT225)
- 4.11.5.11 Editing an Existing International Report or Statement
- 4.11.6 PCT/IPEA
- 4.11.6.1 Creating an Invitation to Restrict or Pay Additional Fees (PCT405)
- 4.11.6.2 Creating an IPE Written Opinion (PCT408)
- 4.11.6.3 Creating an International Preliminary Report on Patentability (IPRPII) (PCT409)
- 4.11.6.4 Creating a Communication in Cases for which No Other Form is Applicable (PCT424)
- 4.11.6.5 Creating a Notification of Decision Concerning Request for Rectification (PCT412)
- 4.11.6.6 Creating a Communication Regarding Amendments Not Taken into Account (PCT432)
- 4.11.6.7 Editing an existing PCT/IPEA (2004) Report
- 4.11.7 WIPO/Fiji/Thai/PNG
- 4.11.7.1 Creating a WIPO Search Report
- 4.11.7.2 Creating a Fiji Search Report and Advisory Opinion
- 4.11.7.3 Creating a Fiji Further Advisory Opinion
- 4.11.7.4 Creating a Thai Search Request for Search Statement
- 4.11.7.5 Creating a Thai Search Report
- 4.11.7.6 Creating a PNG Search and Exam Report
- 4.11.7.7 Editing an Existing WIPO/Fiji/Thai/PNG Report
- 4.11.8 Preliminary Search and Opinion (PSO)
- 4.11.1 Overview
- 4.11.2 DocGen Screens and Features
- 4.11.2.8 Doc Gen Workflow User Guides
- 4.11.2.8.1 Doc Gen Workflow for Examination Users
- 4.11.2.8.2 Doc Gen Workflow for Examination Managers
- 4.11.2.1 How to Navigate through a Template
- 4.11.2.2 Add, Fill Down and Delete buttons
- 4.11.2.3 Using PERP Codes
- 4.11.2.4 Adding Images to a Report
- 4.11.2.5 Re-assigning a Template
- 4.11.2.6 Saving a Report
- 4.11.2.7 Preview Button
- 4.11.2.9 Citation Data Re-use
- 4.11.2.10 Supervision and QA
- 4.11.2.11 Doc Gen Frequently Asked Questions
- 4.11.9 Allowing Voluntary s104 Amendments
- 4.11.10 File Notes
- 4.11.11 QA Form
- 4.12 EPOQUE User Reference Guide
- 4.12.2 EPOQUE What's New
- 4.12.2.1 EPOQUE V3.0
- 4.12.2.2 EPOQUE V3.11A
- 4.12.2.3 EPOQUE V3.20A
- 4.12.2.4 EPOQUE V3.30
- 4.12.2.5 EPOQUE V3.50
- 4.12.2.6 EPOQUE V3.60
- 4.12.2.7 EPOQUE V3.70
- 4.12.2.8 EPOQUE V4.5
- 4.12.2.9 EPOQUE V5.20
- 4.12.3 Accessing EPOQUE
- 4.12.9 Miscellaneous
- 4.12.9.1 Databases
- 4.12.9.2 Programming Function Keys in INTERNAL Module
- 4.12.9.3 Sending Searches from One Examiner to Another
- 4.12.9.3.1 Manually Locating and Sending Worklist Files
- 4.12.9.3.2 Sending Worklist through Export/Import Feature in EPOQUE
- 4.12.9.4 Viewing STN Search Results in EPOQUE
- 4.12.9.5 Saving Full Documents as PDFs and Saving them to V Drive
- 4.12.9.6 File Management - Naming Files
- 4.12.9.7 Downtimes
- 4.12.9.8 Printing
- 4.12.9.10 Slow Computer Response during File Save/Loading
- 4.12.9.10.1 Deleting /Archiving of Private Preparations and Worklists
- 4.12.9.10.2 Extracting Files from an Archived File
- 4.12.9.11 EPOQUE Usage Costs
- 4.12.9.12 EPOXY
- 4.12.9.13 Search History - Where it is Saved
- 4.12.9.14 Searching Alloys in EPOQUE
- 4.12.1 EPOQUE Quick Reference Guide
- 4.12.4 EPOQUE Modules
- 4.12.5 A Quick Search in EPOQUE
- 4.12.6 Searching in EPOQUE
- 4.12.6.1 Searching using INTERNAL
- 4.12.6.1.1 Simple Steps to Search INTERNAL
- 4.12.6.1.2 Menus in INTERNAL Module
- 4.12.6.1.3 Useful INTERNAL System Commands
- 4.12.6.1.4 Truncation Operators
- 4.12.6.1.5 Proximity Operators
- 4.12.6.1.6 How to Search for Special Characters or Reserved Terms
- 4.12.6.1.7 Co-occurrence or Content Operators
- 4.12.6.1.8 Relational Operators
- 4.12.6.1.9 Searching within Fields
- 4.12.6.1.10 Common Field Qualifiers
- 4.12.6.1.11 Recommended EPOQUE Practices
- 4.12.6.2 Searching using X-Full Module
- 4.12.6.2.1 X-Full Menu
- 4.12.6.2.2 Overview of Searching in X-Full
- 4.12.6.2.3 Search EPODOC to Create a Result Set
- 4.12.6.2.4 Normal Search
- 4.12.6.2.5 Facet Search
- 4.12.6.2.6 Searching using Multiple Languages
- 4.12.6.2.7 Non-Patent Literature Searching in X-Full
- 4.12.6.2.8 Preview
- 4.12.6.2.9 Saving and Printing Excerpts
- 4.12.6.2.10 Interrupted X-Full Sessions
- 4.12.6.2.11 X-Full Costs
- 4.12.6.2.12 Generating the Search Strategy from a X-Full Search
- 4.12.7 VIEWER
- 4.12.7.4 Navigation
- 4.12.7.4.1 Vertical Button Bar (VBB)
- 4.12.7.4.2 Document Parts Availability
- 4.12.7.4.3 Bar Sections
- 4.12.7.4.4 BNS Documents
- 4.12.7.4.5 Visual Indicator for Navigation (VIN) Bar
- 4.12.7.4.6 Working List Navigation
- 4.12.7.4.7 Sequential Working List Overview
- 4.12.7.4.8 Family Navigation
- 4.12.7.4.9 Document Navigation
- 4.12.7.4.10 Show Approximate BNS Page
- 4.12.7.4.11 Thumbnails (MOSAIC)
- 4.12.7.4.12 Automatic Flipper
- 4.12.7.4.13 Display of BNS Page
- 4.12.7.4.14 Go to BNS Page
- 4.12.7.1 Starting the VIEWER
- 4.12.7.2 Data Input Window
- 4.12.7.3 COMBI in the VIEWER
- 4.12.7.5 Highlighting and Painting
- 4.12.7.5.1 Highlighters
- 4.12.7.5.2 Working List Highlight
- 4.12.7.5.3 Save/Load Highlights
- 4.12.7.5.4 Using the Highlighter Feature
- 4.12.7.5.5 Permanent Paint
- 4.12.7.6 Drawers
- 4.12.7.7 Yellow Sticker
- 4.12.7.8 Printing from the VIEWER
- 4.12.7.9 VIEWER Preferences
- 4.12.7.9.1 Display Order of Family Members and Initial Display
- 4.12.7.9.2 Fields Display
- 4.12.7.9.3 Fonts and Colour Selection
- 4.12.7.9.4 Keyboard Mapping - Shortcut Keys
- 4.12.7.9.5 View
- 4.12.7.9.6 General
- 4.12.7.9.7 Mosaic/Figure Link
- 4.12.7.9.8 Automatic Flipper
- 4.12.7.9.9 Pre-Search
- 4.12.7.9.10 Export Drawer
- 4.12.7.9.11 Saving User Preferences
- 4.12.7.10 Closing the VIEWER
- 4.12.8 Preparations
- 4.12.8.1 Private Preparations
- 4.12.8.2 Public Preparations
- 4.12.8.3 Printing the Search Statements or Saving to Local Hard Disk
- 4.12.10 Help
- 4.12.11 Definitions
- 4.2 Classification
- 4.2.3 Other Classification Information
- 4.2.3.5 Recording Classification Symbols on Machine-Readable Records
- 4.2.3.1 Sub-Codes - Discontinued
- 4.2.3.2 The Australian Classification System - Discontinued
- 4.2.3.3 Indexing According to IPC Edition (2006) - Discontinued
- 4.2.3.4 Master Classification Database (MDC)
- 4.2.3.6 Presentation of Classification Symbols and Indexing Codes on Patent Documents
- 4.2.1 Patent Classification Systems
- 4.2.1.1 International Patent Classification (IPC)
- 4.2.1.1.1 Structure of the IPC
- 4.2.1.1.2 Headings and Titles
- 4.2.1.1.3 Definitions, Warnings and Notes
- 4.2.1.1.4 Function-Oriented and Application-Oriented Places
- 4.2.1.1.5 References
- 4.2.1.1.6 Indexing Codes
- 4.2.1.1.7 IPC Revisions
- 4.2.1.2 Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)
- 4.2.2 Principles of Classification
- 4.2.2.1 Invention Information and Additional Information
- 4.2.2.1.1 Application of Indexing Codes/2000 Series
- 4.2.2.1.2 Classifying in Residual Places
- 4.2.2.1.3 Places that cannot be the First Symbol
- 4.2.2.2 Classification Priority Rules
- 4.2.2.2.1 Common Rule
- 4.2.2.2.2 First Place Priority Rule
- 4.2.2.2.3 Last Place Priority rule
- 4.2.2.2.4 Special Rules
- 4.2.2.2.5 Classifying a Combination of Technical Subjects
- 4.2.2.3 Classifying in Function-Oriented and Application-Oriented Places
- 4.2.2.4 Classifying Chemical Compounds
- 4.2.2.5 CPC Classification Rules
- 4.2.2.6 Classification using C-Sets
- 4.4 COMPASS and Citation Storage
- 4.4.1 Home Screen (landing page)
- 4.4.2 Application Screen
- 4.4.3 Retrieving Citations
- 4.4.4 Citation Storage
- 4.4.5 The Role of COG and the Library
- 4.4.6 Creating an Application Folder
- 4.4.7 Application Folder Naming Convention
- 4.4.8 Citation Naming Convention
- 4.4.9 Missing Citations
- 4.4.10 Annotating Citations
- 4.4.11 Guidelines for using COMPASS for Storing Citations
- 4.5 WIPO CASE User Guide
- 4.13 Tableau Reader Instruction Manual
- 4.14 Preliminary Search Overview
- Printable Version
- 5. PAMS Examiner's Reference
- 5.2 PAMS Overview
- 5.3 Getting Started
- 5.3.5 Navigating PAMS
- 5.3.5.6 Tree View
- 5.3.5.6.1 Overview Tree View
- 5.3.5.6.2 Displaying the Ecase in Tree View
- 5.3.5.6.3 Structure of Tree View
- 5.3.5.6.4 Navigation in Tree View
- 5.3.5.1 PAMS Interface
- 5.3.5.2 Workstream - Trays and Tasks
- 5.3.5.3 Ecase
- 5.3.5.4 Navigating the Bibliographic Data Screens
- 5.3.5.5 All View
- 5.3.5.7 Viewing an Ecase
- 5.3.6 Shortcut Keys
- 5.3.9 In-Trays
- 5.3.9.2 Examination In-Trays
- 5.3.9.1 My Staff In-Trays
- 5.3.9.3 Exam Workgroup In-Trays
- 5.3.9.4 My Exam Task In-Tray
- 5.3.9.5 Setting the Highlight Criteria for Exam Workgroup In-Trays
- 5.3.9.6 Greyed Out Tasks
- 5.3.9.7 Setting the Exam Request Buffer
- 5.3.10 PAMS Tables
- 5.3.1 Windows 7 Environment
- 5.3.2 Logging on
- 5.3.3 Creating a shortcut on your desktop
- 5.3.4 Creating a Shortcut on your Jump List
- 5.3.7 Full Screen Document Viewer
- 5.3.8 (reserved)
- 5.4 Tasks
- 5.4.1 What is a PAMS Task?
- 5.4.2 PAMS Tasks
- 5.4.3 Selecting Work/Tasks
- 5.4.4 Opening a PAMS Task
- 5.4.5 Create an Edit Ecase Task
- 5.4.6 Exam Request
- 5.4.7 Editing a Task Comment
- 5.4.8 Assigning and Reassigning Tasks
- 5.4.9 View Comments without Opening a Task
- 5.4.10 Trashcan
- 5.4.11 Exam Response Tasks
- 5.4.11.1 Forwarding Exam Response Tasks to Examination
- 5.4.11.2 Urgent and Late Tasks
- 5.4.11.3 The Comments Screen
- 5.4.11.4 Completing an Exam Response Task
- 5.4.12 The Exam Request and Exam Response Verification Screen
- 5.4.13 Pending Exam Task
- 5.4.14 Indicators in PAMS for Tasks to be Considered under 2012 Provisions
- 5.5 Bibliographic Information Screens
- 5.5.3 Examination Details
- 5.5.3.1 Introduction
- 5.5.3.2 Main
- 5.5.3.3 Exam Request Details
- 5.5.3.4 Exam Details
- 5.5.3.5 Deferment of Grant Details
- 5.5.3.6 Voluntary S.104 Amendment Details
- 5.5.3.7 Re-Exam Details
- 5.5.1 Bibliographic Information Screens
- 5.5.2 Document Preparation
- 5.5.4 Invention Details
- 5.5.5 Document Management
- 5.5.6 Document Metadata
- 5.5.6.1 Renaming a Document
- 5.5.6.2 Changing the Document Type
- 5.5.6.3 Deleting a Document
- 5.5.6.4 Reinstating a Deleted Document
- 5.5.7 Patent Family Members
- 5.5.8 Indexing and Formalities 2
- 5.5.9 Extension of Term
- 5.6 Documents/Correspondence
- 5.6.7 Document Manipulation
- 5.6.7.1 Overview Document Manipulation
- 5.6.7.2 Launching a Document in Adobe Acrobat
- 5.6.7.3 Adobe Acrobat Interface
- 5.6.7.4 Displaying Thumbnails
- 5.6.7.5 Zooming
- 5.6.7.6 Tiling Multiple Documents
- 5.6.7.7 Replacing, Inserting and Deleting Pages
- 5.6.7.8 Adding Comments
- 5.6.7.9 Adding Bookmarks
- 5.6.7.10 Assembling the Specification
- 5.6.7.10.1 Verified Translations
- 5.6.7.10.2 Lack of Continuity of Page Numbering
- 5.6.7.10.3 Assembly Issues Relating to Sequence Listings
- 5.6.7.11 Importing Documents into PAMS
- 5.6.7.12 Naming Assembled Documents
- 5.6.7.13 Single, Double, Continuous, Continuous-Facing and Facing Views
- 5.6.7.14 Editing PDF Documents
- 5.6.1 Creating Correspondence
- 5.6.1.1 Correspondence Task Screens
- 5.6.1.2 Examiner Correspondence Screen
- 5.6.1.3 User Correspondence Screen
- 5.6.1.4 Drafting and Saving Correspondence
- 5.6.1.5 Completing Correspondence Tasks
- 5.6.1.6 Discarding an Examination Correspondence Task
- 5.6.1.7 Document Naming Conventions
- 5.6.1.8 Document Type
- 5.6.1.9 Use General Correspondence to Draft a Letter
- 5.6.1.10 Add a File Note to the Ecase
- 5.6.1.11 Exam Correspondence Default Names
- 5.6.2 Adding a Document
- 5.6.3 Removing a Document
- 5.6.4 Stamping Ecase Documents
- 5.6.5 OCRing a Document
- 5.6.6 Create an Abstract
- 5.6.8 Printing
- 5.6.9 Printing Contents of an Ecase
- 5.6.10 Creating a pdf from a Word Document
- 5.8 Enquiries
- 5.8.9 Non-OPI Search Enquiry (NOSE)
- 5.8.1 Enquiry Overview
- 5.8.2 Ecase Enquiry
- 5.8.3 Service Request Enquiry
- 5.8.4 Task Enquiry
- 5.8.5 Ecase History Enquiry
- 5.8.6 Ecase History Incremental Enquiry
- 5.8.7 Customer Enquiry
- 5.8.8 Rendezvous Enquiry
- 5.9 Indexing
- 5.9.2 Preliminary Sorting Processes
- 5.9.3 Examiner Indexing
- 5.9.3.1 Standard Indexing
- 5.9.3.2 Innovation Indexing
- 5.9.3.2.1 Innovation Indexing Fails Formalities 2
- 5.9.3.2.2 Response to Innovation Formalities 2 Direction Filed
- 5.9.3.3 Index Arbiter Tasks
- 5.9.3.4 Preparing Abstracts if not Provided by the Applicant
- 5.9.1 Overview Indexing
- 5.9.4 Re-Indexing Applications (including IPC Error Correction Tasks)
- 5.10 Standard Examination
- 5.10.12 Response to Examiner's Report
- 5.10.12.1 General
- 5.10.12.2 Examination Results in a Further Adverse Report
- 5.10.12.3 Examination Results in Clear Report
- 5.10.15 National Phase Issues
- 5.10.15.1 General Information - National Phase
- 5.10.15.2 Art 19 Amendments
- 5.10.15.3 Art 34 Amendments
- 5.10.15.4 (reserved)
- 5.10.15.5 (reserved)
- 5.10.15.6 IPER Not on File
- 5.10.15.7 Specification in a Foreign Language
- 5.10.15.8 NOE Not Required
- 5.10.15.9 Pamphlet Title Change
- 5.10.19 Acceptance
- 5.10.19.3 Acceptance Screens
- 5.10.19.3.1 Introduction Acceptance Screens
- 5.10.19.3.2 Navigating the Acceptance Task
- 5.10.19.3.3 Acceptance Summary
- 5.10.19.3.4 Acceptance Documents
- 5.10.19.3.5 Bibliographic Amendments
- 5.10.19.3.6 Acceptance Information
- 5.10.19.3.7 Amendments Report
- 5.10.19.3.8 Acceptance Report
- 5.10.19.3.9 Final Acceptance
- 5.10.19.3.10 I Intend to Accept
- 5.10.19.3.11 What Happens After Acceptance
- 5.10.19.3.12 Verification
- 5.10.19.3.13 Discard Acceptance
- 5.10.19.3.14 Continuation Fees
- 5.10.19.3.15 Creating a Patent Request
- 5.10.19.3.16 Error/Warning Messages at Acceptance
- 5.10.19.1 Overview Acceptance
- 5.10.19.2 Creating an Acceptance Task
- 5.10.1 Overview Standard Exam
- 5.10.2 Examination Request Tasks and Standard Examination
- 5.10.3 Examiner's Notes
- 5.10.4 Search Results in Standard Examination
- 5.10.5 (reserved)
- 5.10.6 (reserved)
- 5.10.7 Physical Media
- 5.10.8 Certain Non-OPI Documents to be Stored as "Physical Media"
- 5.10.9 Commencing Examination
- 5.10.10 Examination Results in Adverse Report
- 5.10.10.1 Exam Corro
- 5.10.10.1.3 Dispatch of Exam Report
- 5.10.10.1.1 General
- 5.10.10.1.2 Examiner's Adverse Report
- 5.10.10.1.4 Search Information Statement
- 5.10.10.2 Bibliographic Information Screens
- 5.10.10.3 Assembly
- 5.10.11 Examination Results in Clear Report
- 5.10.11.1 (reserved)
- 5.10.11.2 Bibliographic Information Screens
- 5.10.11.3 Assembly
- 5.10.11.4 Proceeding to Acceptance
- 5.10.13 Supervision
- 5.10.14 Product Quality Review - PQRS
- 5.10.16 Modified Examination
- 5.10.17 Divisionals
- 5.10.18 Additionals
- 5.10.20 Recording Conversations as a File Note
- 5.10.21 Recording Prior Art Details in PAMS
- 5.10.22 21 Month Applications, the FDA and PAMS
- 5.10.22A 12 Month Applications, the FDA and PAMS
- 5.10.23 Recording Original Searches and Overtime
- 5.10.24 Examination report in DocGen for accelerated exam request under Patent Prosecution Highway
- 5.11 Innovation Examination
- 5.11.6 Response to Examiner's Report
- 5.11.6.1 General
- 5.11.6.2 Examination Results in a Further Adverse Report
- 5.11.6.3 Examination Results in Clear Report
- 5.11.1 Overview
- 5.11.2 Examination Request Tasks and Innovation Examination
- 5.11.3 Commencing Examination
- 5.11.4 Examination Results in Adverse Report
- 5.11.4.1 Exam Corro
- 5.11.4.1.1 General
- 5.11.4.1.2 Examiner's Adverse Report to Patentee
- 5.11.4.1.3 Examiner's Adverse Report to 3rd Party
- 5.11.4.1.4 (reserved)
- 5.11.4.1.5 Search Information Statement
- 5.11.4.2 Bibliographic Information Screens
- 5.11.4.3 Completing Exam Request Task
- 5.11.5 Examination Results in Clear Report
- 5.11.7 Supervision
- 5.11.8 Certification
- 5.11.9 Innovation Divisionals
- 5.12 International Type Searching
- 5.12.1 Overview International Type Searching
- 5.12.2 Entering Art 15(5) Examination Details
- 5.12.3 Requesting a Search Statement
- 5.12.4 Storing Citations for Art 15(5)
- 5.12.5 Preparing the Art 15(5) Search Report
- 5.12.6 (reserved)
- 5.12.7 (reserved)
- 5.12.8 QA of Art 15(5)
- 5.12.9 Reassigning the Art 15(5) Tasks to COG
- 5.13 Voluntary Amendments
- 5.13.1 Overview Voluntary Amendments
- 5.13.2 Examining Voluntary s104 Amendments
- 5.13.3 Adverse s104 Report
- 5.13.4 Allowing Voluntary s104 Amendments
- 5.13.4.1 The Examination Details Screen (Clear s104)
- 5.13.4.2 Apology Letter (Clear s104)
- 5.13.4.3 Filling in the s104 Allowance Form
- 5.13.4.4 Re-Assign the s104 Edit Ecase Task to COG
- 5.13.4.5 s104 Amendments after Acceptance/Certification
- 5.13.5 Responses to Adverse Reports
- 5.13.6 How to Check for a Mortgagee or an Exclusive Licensee
- 5.14 Deferment of Grant
- 5.15 Re-Examination
- 5.15.1 Overview Re-Examination
- 5.15.2 Re-Examination Procedural Outline
- 5.15.2.1 Pre-Grant Re-Examination
- 5.15.2.2 Post Grant Re-Examination (Standard and Innovation)
- 5.15.2.3 Procedure to Initiate Refusal/Revocation
- 5.15.2.4 Response to Re-Examination Report
- 5.15.2.5 Further Adverse Re-Examination Report
- 5.15.2.6 Further Non-Adverse Re-examination Report
- 5.15.2.7 Allowing Voluntary s104 Amendment Filed During Re-Examination Process
- 5.15.2.8 Decision not to Re-Examine
- 5.16 Troubleshooting
- 5.16.4 FAQs
- 5.16.4.1 Indexing
- 5.16.4.1.1 PAMS does not allow me to complete Standard Indexing Task
- 5.16.4.1.2 How do I stop PAMS creating multiple Indexing tasks if more than one Indexing suggestion is given?
- 5.16.4.2 Examination
- 5.16.4.2.1 What do I do when the Search Results have not been prepared
- 5.16.4.2.2 What should I do when the Patent Request is in XML
- 5.16.4.2.3 What should I do when an Attorney responds
- 5.16.4.2.4 (reserved)
- 5.16.4.2.5 (reserved)
- 5.16.4.2.6 (reserved)
- 5.16.4.2.7 Acceptance Error Message – Outstanding Amendment Service Request
- 5.16.4.2.8 Acceptance Error Message – Inventor Name Not Given
- 5.16.4.2.9 How do I fix an incorrect Agent’s Reference Number
- 5.16.4.2.10 What do I do when I accidentally complete an Art 15(5) Search Report Edit Ecase Task
- 5.16.4.2.11 Where is the Innovation Final Report Form?
- 5.16.4.2.12 Managing PAMS Tasks which are no longer required
- 5.16.4.2.13 (reserved)
- 5.16.4.2.14 I made an error while accepting an e-case
- 5.16.4.3 Documents/Correspondence
- 5.16.4.3.1 Ecase pdf documents will not launch in Adobe
- 5.16.4.3.2 How do I fix an incorrect Exam Report number
- 5.16.4.3.3 How do I overcome the paper capture (OCR) problem
- 5.16.4.3.4 (reserved)
- 5.16.4.3.5 (reserved)
- 5.16.4.3.6 (reserved)
- 5.16.4.3.7 How do I request a Priority Document be ordered from WIPO
- 5.16.4.3.8 How do I fix an incorrect Agent’s Reference Number on outgoing Examiner Correspondence
- 5.16.4.3.9 PAMS corro will not open when I press Edit/View
- 5.16.4.3.10 Error Message Invalid Save Operation when trying to import documents
- 5.16.4.3.11 How do I alter the mailing date on first reports while working in the Exam Corro Task?
- 5.16.4.3.12 How do I Fix a Corrupt PDF in PAMS
- 5.16.4.3.13 When to Fill SIS
- 5.16.4.3.14 Validation of Digital Signatures on PDF Documents
- 5.16.4.3.15 What do I do when the Parent of a Divisional is not Available through PAMS
- 5.16.4.3.16 What do I do if I encounter copyright material or non-patent literature (NPL) in the PAMS eCase?
- 5.16.4.3.17 Which documents of a PAMS eCase will be viewable by the public on eDossier
- 5.16.4.3.18 How to view the earlier versions of PAMS documents
- 5.16.4.3.19 How do I correct errors in correspondence
- 5.16.4.3.20 How do I copy and paste searching information from EPOQUE onto the SIS in DocGen?
- 5.16.4.4 General
- 5.16.4.4.1 What do I do when my NPL reference is too long
- 5.16.4.4.2 PAMS does not allow me to reassign a Task back to an Examiner
- 5.16.4.4.3 PAMS shows the incorrect Exam Section In-Tray after assigning a Task
- 5.16.4.4.4 The underlines for the PAMS Access Keys are no longer displaying
- 5.16.4.4.5 Colour Codes
- 5.16.4.5 Standard Comments - Reassigning Tasks to COG
- 5.16.1 Forgotten Password
- 5.16.2 Who To Contact
- 5.16.3 Old Edit Ecase
- 5.16.5 PAMS Examination Checklist
- 5.16.6 PAMS Availability
- 5.16.7 PAMS Time Zone
- 5.17 Oppositions, Courts, Extensions and Disputes
- 5.18 Preliminary Search and Opinion (PSO)
- 5.18.1 Overview
- 5.18.2 Distribution of PSO Tasks
- 5.18.3 (reserved)
- 5.18.4 (reserved)
- 5.18.5 (reserved)
- 5.18.6 (reserved)
- 5.18.7 Commencing Examination of PSO
- 5.18.8 PSO Preparation
- 5.18.8.1 Examiner's Preliminary Search and Opinion (PSO)
- 5.18.8.2 (reserved))
- 5.18.8.3 Search Information Statement
- 5.18.9 Preliminary Search Opinion Screen
- 5.18.10 Assembly
- 5.18.11 Product Quality Review - PQRS
- 5.1 Foreword
- 5.7 (reserved)
- 5.19 Citation Manager
- 5.19.1 Adding New Citation Details
- 5.19.2 Importing Citation Details from Another Application
- 5.19.3 Editing Citation Details
- 5.19.4 Changing the Order of the Citations in the List
- 5.19.5 Selecting Citations for Publication during Acceptance
- 5.19.6 Deleting Citation from the Citation Manager
- 5.19.7 OPS Fetch
- 5.19.8 Adding Citations in the Prior Art Field in the Acceptance Screen
- 5.19.9 Citations in DocGen
- Printable Version
- 6. PERP Manual
- 6.3A - Introduction Paragraphs
- 6.3.1 Notes
- 6.3.2 (reserved)
- 6.3.3 Notice of Entitlement
- 6.3.4 National Phase - Based on Translation
- 6.3.5 National Phase - Missing IPER/IPRPII
- 6.3.6 Voluntary Amendments
- 6.3.7 Reissue of Examination Reports
- 6.4B - Patent Request, Entitlement
- 6.5C - Convention Application/Basic Document
- 6.6D - Lack of Unity
- 6.6.1 Notes
- 6.6.2 Lack of Unity
- 6.6.3 Actions Reserved Because of Lack of Unity
- 6.6.4 Residual a posteri Lack of Unity resulting from Novelty / Inventive Step Objection(s)
- 6.7E - Specification - Omnibus Claims, Fair Basis, Disclosure, Support, Clear and Succint, Micro-Organisms
- 6.7.1 Notes
- 6.7.2 Omnibus Claims
- 6.7.3 Specification Does Not Fully Describe the Invention / Invention Cannot be Determined from Disclosure
- 6.7.3A Complete Specification Does Not Disclose the Invention in a Clear Enough and Complete Enough Manner
- 6.7.4 Claims Not Fairly Based
- 6.7.4A Claims are not Supported by Matter Disclosed in the Body of the Specification
- 6.7.5 Claims - Not Succinct
- 6.7.6 Claims - Antecedents
- 6.7.7 Micro-organisms
- 6.7.8 Use of Brand Name or Trademark
- 6.7.9 Innovation Patent Special Issues
- 6.8F - Novelty, Inventive Step
- 6.8.3 Novelty
- 6.8.3.1 No Difference
- 6.8.3.2 Inessential Difference
- 6.8.3.3 Chemical
- 6.8.3.4 Whole of Contents
- 6.8.3.5 Admitted Prior Art
- 6.8.3.6 Based on IPER or Foreign Examination
- 6.8.4 Inventive Step
- 6.8.4.1 Citation Long Form General
- 6.8.4.2 CGK Long Form General
- 6.8.4.3 Technical Equivalent
- 6.8.4.4 Workshop Improvement
- 6.8.4.5 Obvious Selection
- 6.8.4.6 Obvious Result of Combination of CGK
- 6.8.4.7 Mosaic
- 6.8.4.8 General
- 6.8.4.9 No Contribution in Appended Claims
- 6.8.4.10 Based on IPER or Foreign Examination
- 6.8.1 Notes
- 6.8.2 (reserved)
- 6.8.5 Based on FERs (Novelty and Inventive Step)
- 6.8.6 Innovation Patent Applications (Novelty and Innovative Step)
- 6.8.7 Search Reserved
- 6.8.8 Comment Reserved
- 6.8.9 Non Patent Literature
- 6.8.10 Foreign Language Citations
- 6.9G - Amendments - Not Allowable, Rebuttals, Not In Order, Amendments Under Opposition, Amendments After Acceptance
- 6.9.1 Notes
- 6.9.2 Not Allowable
- 6.9.2A Not Allowable
- 6.9.3 Amendments Not Formally Proposed
- 6.9.4 Rebuttals
- 6.9.5 Amendment Not in Order
- 6.9.6 Second Marked Sheet
- 6.9.7 Amendments During S59 Opposition
- 6.9.8 Amendments After Grant
- 6.10H - Divisionals
- 6.10.1 Notes
- 6.10.2 Introduction
- 6.10.3 Status of Parent
- 6.10.3A Status of Parent
- 6.10.4 Not in Time
- 6.10.5 Request
- 6.10.6 (reserved)
- 6.10.7 Hearing
- 6.12K - National Phase
- 6.12.1 Translations
- 6.12.2 Amendments to the Abstract in the National Phase
- 6.12.3 Sequences Missing or Different from the IPRP
- 6.12.4 Defects in Formalities under S 45(1A)
- 6.13L - Additionals
- 6.13.1 Notes
- 6.13.2 Introductions
- 6.13.3 Formalities
- 6.13.4 Authorisation from Parent Application
- 6.13.5 Improvement or Modification
- 6.14M - Patentable Subject Matter
- 6.14.1 Manner of Manufacture
- 6.14.1.1 Notes
- 6.14.1.2 General
- 6.14.1.3 Collocations
- 6.14.1.4 Kits of Parts
- 6.14.1.5 Known Material
- 6.14.1.6 Working Direction
- 6.14.1.7 Biotechnology
- 6.14.1.8 Human Beings
- 6.14.1.9 Mere Admixture
- 6.14.1.10 Business Methods and Computer Related Inventions
- 6.14.2 Usefulness
- 6.15P - Miscellaneous - Title, Subsection (51(1), Subsection 64(2), Other
- 6.15.1 Hearing
- 6.15.2 Sub-Section 64(2)
- 6.15.3 Late Report
- 6.15.4 Postponement of Acceptance Section 49(3) and (4)
- 6.15.5 Acceptance Time Extended Under Regulation 13.4(1)(I)
- 6.15.6 Supervision
- 6.15.7 Re-examination
- 6.16R - Applicant Cases - No Possibility of Grant, Possibility of Grant, Search Reserved, Drafting & Formalities, Amendments, Guide, State Offices
- 6.16.1 Novelty and Inventive Step - Notes
- 6.16.2 The Possibility of the Grant of a Patent is Remote
- 6.16.2.1 Novelty - Complete Disclosure
- 6.16.2.2 Novelty - Differences Do Not Materially Affect
- 6.16.2.3 Novelty - Based on Applicant's Drawings or Description
- 6.16.2.4 Inventive Step
- 6.16.3 Reasonable Possibility of the Grant of a Patent
- 6.16.4 Search and Opinion on Newness Reserved
- 6.16.5 Formalities
- 6.16.6 Drafting - Specification
- 6.16.7 Drafting - Claims
- 6.16.8 Amendments
- 6.16.9 Time Limits and Lapsing
- 6.16.10 Guides and Professional Help
- 6.16.11 IP Australia Offices and Website
- 6.16.12 The Patent System
- 6.17 T/S - International
- 6.17.17 Certain Documents Cited
- 6.17.1 Informal Request for Comment on a Finding
- 6.17.2 Excluded Subject Matter (ISO and IPE Box III [Rule 67] and ISR Box II [Rule 39])
- 6.17.3 Unity of Invention (ISR Box III, Invitation, ISO and IPE Box IV)
- 6.17.4 Lack of Unity
- 6.17.5 Informal Request for Comment on a Finding of Lack of Unity
- 6.17.6 Additional Fees - Extra Search Effort
- 6.17.7 Additional Fees - Extra Examination Effort
- 6.17.8 Examination Restricted
- 6.17.9 Rule 66.2(a)(iii) Certain Defects (IPE Box VII)
- 6.17.10 Certain Observations (IPE Box VIII)
- 6.17.11 Rule 66.2(a)(ii) N, IS and IA (IPE Box V)
- 6.17.12 Industrial Applicability - Positive Statement
- 6.17.13 Novelty - Positive Statement
- 6.17.14 Novelty - Negative Statement
- 6.17.15 Inventive Step - Positive Statement
- 6.17.16 Inventive Step - Negative Statement
- 6.17.19 Reissue of Examination Reports
- 6.1 Introduction
- 6.2 Common Terms
- Printable Version
- Welcome
- Customer Service Charter Timeliness Guidelines
- Service Level Agreements
- Suggestions for Manual
6.1.4 Unity of Invention
Date Published
Also in this Chapter:
- 6.1.1 Procedural Outline - PCT International Search
- 6.1.3 Search Allocation and Preliminary Classification
- 6.1.5 Abstract and Title
- 6.1.6 Subjects to be Excluded from the Search
- 6.1.7 Claim Interpretation, Broad Claims, PCT Articles 5 and 6
- 6.1.8 Search Strategy
- 6.1.9 Basis of the Search
- 6.1.10 Non-Patent Literature
- 6.1.11 Search Procedure
- 6.1.12 Search Report and Notification Form Completion
- 6.1.13 Reissued, Amended or Corrected ISRs and ISOs
- 6.1.14 Priority Document
- 6.1.15 Foreign Patent Search Aids and Documentation
- 6.1.16 Assistance with Foreign Languages
- 6.1.17 Rule 91 Obvious Mistakes in Documents
- 6.1.18 Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Listings
- 6.1.19 Annexes
Sub-chapters in this Section:
- 6.1.4.1 Unity of Invention Background
- 6.1.4.2 Determining Lack of Unity
- 6.1.4.3 Combinations of Different Categories of Claims
- 6.1.4.4 Markush Practice
- 6.1.4.5 Intermediate and Final Products in Chemical Applications
- 6.1.4.6 Biotechnological Inventions
- 6.1.4.7 Single General Inventive Concept
- 6.1.4.8 A Priori and A Posteriori Lack of Unity
- 6.1.4.9 Issuing the Invitation to Pay Additional Search Fees
- 6.1.4.10 Unsupported Unclear Long
- 6.1.4.11 Payment of Additional Search Fees Under Protest
- 6.1.4.12 Completing the Search Report
- 6.1.4.13 Time for Completing the Search Report
- 6.1.4.14 Reported Decisions -Unity
- 6.1.4.15 Other Decisions on Unity from the EPO