- 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
7.8.2.5 Consultation with Other Hearing Officers
Date Published
Hearing officers may consult with other hearings officers (or other staff members) in formulating their decisions; see, for example, Re J.R.L.; Ex Parte C.J.L., 161 CLR 342 at 351:
“This proscription does not, of course, debar a judge hearing a case from consulting with other judges of his court who have no interest in the matter or with court personnel whose function is to aid him in carrying out his judicial responsibilities. The same standard is applied in the Code of Judicial Conduct for United States Judges, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States: see Canon 3 and commentary.”
Ultimately, however, the decision remains the full responsibility of the delegated hearing officer.