3.1 Periodicals, records, reports, books, etc. 

The systematically accessible search documentation includes relevant articles from the list drawn up by the competent WIPO body of periodicals belonging to the minimum documentation under the PCT and from other periodicals the search divisions consider useful. Copies of the articles selected as relevant for search purposes are generally added to the EPO search databases with a fictitious country code "XP" and scanned for inclusion in the electronic "BNS" collection.

The EPO also subscribes to many other periodicals, including abstract journals, and obtains records of conference proceedings, reports, books, standards, etc. in all three of its official languages and covering the various technically important geographical areas. Individual items are selected for inclusion in the online documentation if they are useful additions to the state of the art.