An ISR is required for patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The results are recorded together with the written opinion of the International Searching Authority (ISA) and published by the International Bureau. The ISR serves as the basis for the examination of a PCT application. It is usually necessary to provide a response to the ISR and the comments from the ISA.
Includes:
- All relevant prior art (everything made available to the public in writing and helps determine whether a claimed invention is new and involves an inventive step);
- Searches all analogous art;
- Always includes a written opinion of the ISA
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority
- Indicates whether invention appears to be novel, to involve an inventive step (to be non-obvious), and to be industrially applicable;
- Indicates whether the international application appears to comply with the PCT requirements;
- Notifies the applicant of all defects found in the application and the reasons for the examiner's opinion, and invites a written reply, with appropriate amendments.
Reply to ISR:
- An applicant may file a response to a written opinion of the ISA within the longer of 3 months from the mailing date of the ISR or 22 months from the priority date of the PCT application.
