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Guide for applicants, Part 2: PCT procedure before the EPO (Euro-PCT Guide)

 
 
Table of Contents - Guide for applicants, Part 2: PCT procedure before the EPO (Euro-PCT Guide)
C. The EPO as an International Searching Authority (ISA) and a Supplementary International Searching Authority (SISA)
I. General
The role of the EPO as ISA
The role of the EPO as ISA
190
The EPO as ISA establishes for each international application an International Search Report (ISR) and a Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority (WO-ISA) under Chapter I PCT (see points 221 ff).
191
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
192
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 to the national/regional phase. For this and other reasons, in some cases international preliminary examination may have no added value (see points 301 ff). Therefore, 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.