IPA patent 6.3.5.2-supplementary-international-search-report — IP Australia Patent Manual of Practice and Procedure – 6.3.5.2 Supplementary International Search Report

Also in this Chapter: 6.3.5.1 First IPE Action 6.3.5.3 PCT Third Party Observations Key Legislation: Rule 45bis.1(a) Supplementary Search Request From 1 July 2017, applicants may request a supplementary international search for any international application in which the 22 months period under Rule 45bis.1(a) has not expired by that date. The supplementary search will be conducted by a different Authority to the one that conducted the main international search. Examiners should note that any supplementary international search reports which are transmitted to IP Australia in sufficient time should be taken into account for the purpose of the written opinion or international preliminary examination report. These supplementary search reports should be treated as if they were a part of the main international search report. However, if a supplementary international search report is received by IP Australia after the examiner has started to draw up an opinion or report, they do not need to be taken into account.