6.1.2.1 Overview - International Searching

Also in this Chapter:

• 6.1.2.2 Overview International Search Opinion (ISO)
• 6.1.2.3 General Procedures
• 6.1.2.4 Extent of Search
• 6.1.2.5 Minimum Documentation
• 6.1.2.6 Examination Section Procedures
• 6.1.2.7 Searching Examiner
• 6.1.2.8 Other Considerations
• 6.1.2.9 Copending Applications​​​​​​​

Key Legislation:

• PCT ISPE Guidelines
  

Related Chapters:​​​​​​​

• ​​​​​​​Annex P - PCT Timeline

The following procedures are supplementary to the PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines and are intended to facilitate an understanding and application of the Guidelines by highlighting the essential steps to be taken by examiners and by directing their attention to the relevant passages of the Guidelines, PCT Articles, Rules and Administrative Instructions. See Annex P for a timeline of typical international application process from first filing to National Phase Entry.

Note that the expanded numbering system PCT/AU/20xx/123456 and WO 20xx/123456 took effect from 1 January 2004, and in the case of Australia applies to all official communications, publications and other official documents in respect of all PCT application numbers and publication numbers whether the PCT application was filed before or after that date. The citing of pre 2004 documents in the new format extends to the citing of such documents in reports and opinions, even if the document has been cited in an earlier opinion or report according to the old format. However, the old numbering system will be retained for data held in the mainframe computer (PATADMIN, etc). This applies even for applications filed from 1 January 2004.