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

Date Published

  1. Initial processing (for international preliminary examination only)

  2. The "report establishment" date (for international preliminary examination only)

  3. Consider excluded subject matter

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

  5. Consider unity of invention

  6. Consider ordering priority document

  7. Consider clarity and descriptive support

  8. Consider novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability

  9. Note formality deficiencies

  10. Prepare a written opinion on form PCT/ISA/237 (ISO) or PCT/IPEA/408 (IPEO) or establish a report on PCT/IPEA/409 (IPRPII)

  11. PCT Unit actions on opinions

  12. Consider response to IPEO

  13. Establish the IPRPII on form PCT/IPEA/409

  14. Complete a Notification of Transmittal form PCT/IPEA/416 for IPRPII

  15. Final processing by the PCT Unit

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