3.1 General

3.1.7.When is the search fee refunded?

3.1.027Where the EPO can base the ISR on an earlier search that it has carried out for an application whose priority is validly claimed for the international application, the international search fee paid will be refunded in part or in full, depending on the extent to which the EPO benefits from that earlier search (see point 2.22.001).

R. 4.12 PCT, R. 12bis PCT, R. 16.3 PCT, R. 41.1 PCT
OJ 2009, 99
OJ 2019, A82

OJ 2022, A9
WIPO PCT Guide 5.073

3.1.028No refund is made for an earlier search that was not carried out by the EPO itself and/or if priority has not been validly claimed (see point 2.22.001).