6.3.1 Procedural Outline - Written Opinion of the ISA and International Preliminary Examination

Also in this Chapter:​​​​​​​

• 6.3.2 Introduction International Examination

• 6.3.3 The Demand and IPRPII

• 6.3.4 Top-up Search

• 6.3.5 First IPE action

• 6.3.6 Response to Opinion

• 6.3.7 IPRPII and Notification

• 6.3.8 Completing ISO, IPEO and IPRPII Forms

• 6.3.9 General Considerations

• 6.3.10 Annexes

Related Chapters:

• 6.1.4 Unity of Invention

• 6.1.6 Subjects to be Excluded from the Search

• 6.1.7.3 PCT Articles 5 and 6

• 6.1.14 Priority Document

• 6.3.3.2 Timeframe for Demand and IPRPII

• 6.3.6.1 Overview - Response to Opinion

• 6.3.8.3 Box II Priority

• 6.3.8.4 Box III Non-establishment of Opinion

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

• 6.3.8.9 Box VIII Certain Observations​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• 6.3.9.1 Article 19 or Article 34(2)(b) Amendments

• 6.3.9.2 Formalities

• RIO - Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Tasks

• RIO and Intelledox - Processing PCT Tasks

• RIO and Intelledox - Attaching Annexes to IPRPII

On this page

• Procedural outline

  • Initial administration

  • Examination

  • Preparing the report

• Examiner process flowchart

Procedural outline

The following outlines a general procedure for carrying out international examination, including for PCT searches, international preliminary examination, and establishing International Preliminary Reports on Patentability Chapter II. A flowchart is provided at the end of the page.

Initial administration

1. Initial processing (for international preliminary examination only).

2. The ‘report establishment’ date is set (for international preliminary examination only).

   • See 6.3.3.2 Timeframe for Demand and IPRPII.

Examination

3. Consider excluded subject matter (see 6.1.6 Subjects to be Excluded from the Search and 6.3.8.4 Box III Non-establishment of Opinion).

4. Consider validity of amendments (for international preliminary examination only).

   • See 6.3.9.1 Article 19 or Article 34(2)(b) Amendments.

5. Consider unity of invention (see 6.1.4 Unity of Invention).

6. Consider ordering priority document (see 6.1.14 Priority Document and 6.3.8.3 Box II Priority).

7. Consider clarity and descriptive support (see 6.1.7.3 PCT Articles 5 and 6 and 6.3.8.9 Box VIII Certain Observations​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​).

8. Consider novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability (see 6.3.8.6 Box V Reasoned Statement Regarding Novelty, Inventive Step & Industrial Applicability).

9. Note formality deficiencies (see 6.3.9.2 Formalities).

Preparing the report

1. Prepare one of:

   1. A written opinion on International Search Opinion (ISO, form PCT/ISA/237).

   2. An International Preliminary Examination Opinion (IPEO, form PCT/IPEA/408).

   3. A report on International Preliminary Report on Patentability Chapter II (IPRPII, form PCT/IPEA/409), if applicable.

2. Consider response to International Preliminary Examination Opinion (IPEO), if applicable (see 6.3.6.1 Overview - Response to Opinion).

3. If issuing an IPRPII, establish the IPRPII and Notification of Transmittal on combined form PCT/IPEA/409 and PCT/IPEA/416.

   1. Attach ANNEXES to the IPRPII (follow guidance Attaching Annexes).

4. Submit the task.

5. The report will be dispatched pending any Quality Assurance and/or Quality Review processes.

Examiner process flowchart