IPA patent 4.1.1-objectives-of-the-search — IP Australia Patent Manual of Practice and Procedure – 4.1.1 Objectives of the Search

Also in this Chapter: 4.1.2 Iterative Searching Key Legislation Patents Act: Schedule 1 Dictionary Related Chapters 6.1.2.5 Minimum Documentation ​​​​​​​ The primary objective of the search is to discover prior art which is relevant to the determination of whether the claimed invention is lacking in novelty or an inventive/innovative step. It follows that the search should address the claimed invention across its scope, the inventive concept, as well as the embodiments. A further objective may be to find prior art that is otherwise relevant to the applicant. This could include documents outlining the state of the art or material that the applicant would be interested in, should they consider amending their claims. The prior art may be in the form of patent documents or articles from periodicals and other non-patent literature (see schedule 1 of the Act for a definition of the prior art base and/or 6.1.2.5 Minimum Documentation .