Section GL/EPO B‑III, 2.3, in the Guidelines for Examination in the EPO applies mutatis mutandis.[Rule 33.2(b); (c); GL/ISPE 15.48; 15.51; ]

The scope of the international search is defined in Art. 15(4), stipulating that the International Searching Authority must endeavour to discover as much of the relevant prior art as its facilities permit and must, in any case, consult the documentation specified in the PCT Regulations (Rule 34). It follows from this definition ("as its facilities permit") that the scope of an international search is equivalent to that of a European search.

1. Scope of the search

2. The subject of the search

An international search report is prepared containing the results of the search, in particular by identifying the documents constituting the relevant state of the art (see GL/PCT‑EPO B‑X, 9).[Art. 18; Rule 43; GL/ISPE 16.01; ]

The search report is accompanied by a written opinion of the International Searching A

The objective of the international search is to discover the prior art which is relevant for the purpose of determining novelty and inventive step. The international search as such, thus, does not differ from a European search.[Art. 15; Rule 33; GL/ISPE 15.01; ]