R.39 PCT Subject Matter under Article 17(2)(a)(i)

39.1       Definition

No International Searching Authority shall be required to search an international application if, and to the extent to which, its subject matter is any of the following:

(i)  scientific and mathematical theories,

(ii)  plant or animal varieties or essentially biological processes for the production of plants and animals, other than microbiological processes and the products of such processes,

(iii)  schemes, rules or methods of doing business, performing purely mental acts or playing games,

(iv)  methods for treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy, as well as diagnostic methods,

(v)  mere presentations of information,

(vi)  computer programs to the extent that the International Searching Authority is not equipped to search prior art concerning such programs.

Source: http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/texts/articles/r39.htm

Date retrieved: 17 May 2021

35 references found.

Click X to load a reference inside the current page, click on the title to open in a new page.

EPO Guidelines - B Search

EPO PCT GL - B Search

EPO PCT GL - F (not assigned)

EPO PCT GL - G Patentability

EPO Guide for Applicants, part II Int. - C The EPO as ISA and SISA

PCT Implementing Rules

PCT Newsletter - Practical Advice

Offical Journal of the EPO

Case Law Book: IV Divisional Applications

Case Law of the Enlarged Board

General Case Law