6.2.9 Completing Search Report and Opinion Form

• 6.2.1 Procedural Outline - International Type Search

• 6.2.2 Introduction - International Type Searching

• 6.2.3 Classification and Search Indication

• 6.2.4 Unity of Invention

• 6.2.5 Subjects to be Excluded from the Search

• 6.2.6 Obscurities, Inconsistencies or Contradictions

• 6.2.7 Abstract and Title

• 6.2.8 Search Report

• 6.2.10 Annexes

Regulations under the PCT:

• Rule 6.2 References to Other Parts of the International Application

• 6.1.7 Claim Interpretation, Broad Claims, PCT Articles 5 and 6

• 6.1.12.3 General Details - ISR

• 6.1.12.4 Fields Searched - ISR

• 6.1.12.5 Documents Considered to be Relevant

• 6.1.12.5.2 Citation Category

• 6.2.4 Unity of Invention

• 6.2.5 Subjects to be Excluded from the Search

• 6.3.8.6 Box V Reasoned Statement Regarding Novelty, Inventive Step & Industrial Applicability

• 6.3.8.7 Box VI Certain Documents Cited

• 6.3.8.8 Box VII Certain Defects

• 6.3.8.9 Box VIII Certain Observations

• 6.2.10 Annex C - Blank Article 15(5) Search Report

• RIO - Processing Article 15(5) Tasks

• RIO - Request for Sequence listing

• RIO - Corrected Article 15(5) reports

• Forms

• Front Sheet

  • Bibliographic Information

  • Total number of sheets

  • Item 1a

  • Items 1b and 2 – 4

• Box No. I Nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence

• Box No. II Claims found unsearchable

• Box No. III Lack of Unity

• Second Sheet of the Search Report

  • Box A Classification of Subject Matter

  • Box B Fields Searched

  • Box C Documents Considered to be Relevant

• Written Opinion

• Supplemental Box

  • Search statement

  • Continuation of Box III

  • Other Observations

  • Electronic data base consulted during the International Type Search (continuation)

• Corrected Article 15(5) report

The Search Report and Opinion are completed using RIO. See the RIO Manual page on International Type Searches for further instructions. A blank Article 15(5) search report form is shown in Annex C.

All bibliographic information for the International Type Search will be automatically entered on the front sheet including:

• National Application No.

• Country or Office of Filing

• Applicant’s or Agent’s file reference

• Filing date

• Priority Date

• Applicant

Upon completion of the report, the number of sheets will be automatically calculated and entered on the front page in the relevant place.

If the search was based on claims, cross the upper box under item 1a and enter claim numbers.

If the search was based on a search statement filed by the applicant, cross the lower box under item 1a and provide the search statement in a Supplemental Box.

Cross boxes as applicable.

The opinion must include the same level of details with respect to the cited documents as in the:

• International Search Opinion (ISO),

• International Preliminary Examination Opinion (IPEO)

• International Preliminary Report on Patentability Chapter 2 (IPRPII)

See 6.3.8.6 Box V Reasoned Statement Regarding Novelty, Inventive Step & Industrial Applicability, and 6.3.8.7 Box VI Certain Documents Cited.

The International Type Search and Opinion Form does not include Box VI (Certain Documents Cited) as found in ISO/IPEO/IPRPII. Therefore, any relevant P and E category documents will need be discussed under the headings Novelty and/or Inventive Step (as applicable) under Citations and Explanations (see 6.1.12.5.2 Citation Category).

If the search was based on a search statement provided by the applicant, then the following items should be left blank:

• International Type Search report: ‘Relevant to claim No.’ under Box ‘C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT’

Written Opinion: ‘STATEMENT’ under ‘Reasoned statement with regard to novelty, inventive step or industrial applicability; …’

If the search was based on a search statement filed by the applicant, the search statement is provided here.

Where lack of unity has been found, provide the details of separate inventions present in the national application.

Any defects in the form or content of the national application will be noted here. For matter that may be required to be noted here see 6.3.8.8 Box VII Certain Defects.

Specific issues of clarity of claims, description and drawings and whether the claims are fully supported by the description will also be noted here, see 6.3.8.9 Box VIII Certain Observations.

If the text does not fit in the ‘Electronic database’ box, RIO will automatically move all the text here.

A blank Article 15(5) search report form is shown in Annex C. The Search Report and Opinion are completed using RIO. See the RIO Manual page on International Type Searches for further instructions.