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The applicant will receive a copy of each document cited in the SISR free of charge.[GL/ISPE 15.97; ]

GL-PCT B XII 8 Validity of priority and E/P documents

At this stage the priority document should be available in the file and it can therefore be checked if E/P documents were found during the search. Should the priority document not be available, for the purposes of the search the priority is assumed to be valid.

GL-PCT B XII 7 Explanations under Rule 45 bis .7(e)

No separate WO‑ISA is established for a SIS. Instead, only a free-text sheet is used, and this will contain the same information as the separate sheet that is part of the WO‑ISA in the form of "explanations". Upon entry into the European phase, the applicant is obliged to respond to these explanations, as set out in Rule 161(1) EPC.

GL-PCT B XII 6 Filling out the search report

The SISR is filled out in the same way as for any international search, with the exception that publication details do not have to be provided since the main ISA has already provided the publication data and IPC classes.[GL/ISPE 15.96; ]

Examiners will not cite in the SISR a document already cited in the ISR unless they attach a different significance to it, e.g.

GL-PCT B XII 5 Limitation of the search for reasons other than non-unity

With respect to limitations of the search for reasons other than non-unity (including the issuance of a declaration of no search), the same criteria apply as for any international search carried out by the EPO as ISA (see GL/PCT‑EPO B‑VIII, 2, 3 and subsections).[GL/ISPE 1

GL-PCT B XII 4 Scope of the search

At the EPO the scope of a SIS is the same as for any other international search carried out by the EPO as ISA and is not limited to documentation in a specific language.[GL/ISPE 15.93; ]

If an ISR from the main ISA is already available when the examiner carries out the SIS, it will be taken into account when establishing the SISR and written opinion.

GL-PCT B XII 3 Basis for the search

The SIS is always made on the claims as originally filed (or a translation thereof), irrespective of whether amendments have been filed under Art. 19 or 34.[Rule 45bis.5(b); GL/ISPE 15.85; ]

GL-PCT B XII 2 Time limits

An applicant can request a SIS up to the end of 22 months from the priority date.

GL-PCT B XII 1 General

The supplementary international search system is optional for both applicants and International Authorities.

GL-PCT B XII 10 Non-unity

GL-PCT B XII 9 Copies of documents cited in the SISR