Limitations related to the subject-matter
3.3.4.2 Business methods
3.3.006The EPO as ISA will not carry out an international search on an application to the extent that its subject-matter relates to no more than a method of doing business, in the absence of any apparent technical character (see point 3.1.010).
3.3.007Nevertheless, if the claimed subject-matter involves technical means, an ISR will be established. However, to the extent that the technical means involved were widely available to everyone at the filing date, no documentary evidence is considered required because of their notoriety, and no document will be cited in the ISR. Instead, a statement will be inserted that these technical means are considered so commonplace that no citation is considered necessary.