GA C I 1 The role of the EPO as ISA

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 The EPO as ISA establishes for eachFor every international application, the EPO as ISA issues either an International Search Report (ISR) and a Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority (WO-ISA) under Chapter I PCT or, in exceptional cases, a Declaration of Non-Establishment of International Search Report and a WO-ISA indicating that the ISA is not required to perfom a search or cannot perform a meaningful search (see points 221222 ff).
Art. 17(2), 18 PCT
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The ISR contains, among other things, the citations of the prior art documents considered relevant, the classification of the subject-matter of the invention and an indication of the fields searched. 
R. 43 PCT
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The WO-ISA provides the applicant with a preliminary, non-binding opinion on the issues of novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability. This allows the applicant to assess, already at the search stage, whether to proceed directly to the national/regional phase or to file a demand under Chapter II PCT in order to overcome objections raised in the WO-ISA and possibly receive a positive IPER. However, before taking a decision on filing a demand for international preliminary examination, applicants are advised to consider carefully the information regarding the usefulness of the procedure under Chapter II PCT (see points 291292 ff).

Source: http://www.epo.org/applying/international/guide-for-applicants/html/e/ga_c_i_1.html

Date retrieved: 24 November 2017

9 references found.

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EPO Guide for Applicants, part II Int.

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

EPO Guide for Applicants, part II Int. - D The EPO as an IPEA

PCT Articles

PCT Implementing Rules