PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines
PART IV THE INTERNATIONAL SEARCH
Chapter 16 International Search Report
16.01 The results of the international search are recorded in the international search report (Form PCT/ISA/210), which is transmitted with Form PCT/ISA/220 to the applicant and with Form PCT/ISA/219 to the International Bureau, together with the written opinion of the International Searching Authority, which must be established at the same time. The search report is published by the International Bureau and serves as a basis for the written opinion of the International Searching Authority, any international preliminary report on patentability (Chapter I of the Patent Cooperation Treaty), and any examination of the international application by the designated Offices or by the International Preliminary Examining Authority.
16.02 The examiner is responsible for seeing that the international search report is drawn up in such a way that it can subsequently be typed or printed in final form.
Supplementary International Search
16.03 The guidelines in this chapter also apply to the preparation of supplementary international search reports (see also paragraphs 15.94 to 15.97). For such reports, Form PCT/SISA/501 is used instead of Form PCT/ISA/210. For the covering letters, Form PCT/SISA/505 is used instead of Form PCT/ISA/220. Otherwise, specific details are only included where the required content or procedure differs from that in the case of a normal international search report. The supplementary international search report is not accompanied by a written opinion, but may include certain explanations which might otherwise have been included in a written opinion (see paragraph 15.96).
16.04 The guidelines in this chapter also apply to the preparation of international-type search reports (see paragraph 2.22). For such reports, Form PCT/ISA/201 is used instead of Form PCT/ISA/210. Form PCT/ISA/220 (see paragraphs 16.14 to 16.21) is not used as a covering letter: the nature of any alternative depends on the arrangements between the International Searching Authority and the national Office on whose behalf the international-type search is conducted, as does the matter of whether the international-type search report is accompanied by a written opinion.