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Article 152 – The European Patent Office as an International Searching Authority or International Preliminary Examining Authority

Article 152179
The European Patent Office as an International Searching Authority or International Preliminary Examining Authority

Part X – International applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty – Euro-PCT applications

The European Patent Office shall act as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority within the meaning of the PCT, in accordance with an agreement between the Organisation and the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization, for applicants who are residents or nationals of a State party to this Convention. This agreement may provide that the European Patent Office shall also act for other applicants.

179See agreement between the EPO and the International Bureau of WIPO under the PCT of 30.10/28.11.2017 with effect from 01.01.2018 (OJ EPO 2017, A115, last amendments see OJ EPO 2018, A24 and A35, OJ EPO 2019, A5, and OJ EPO 2020, A35 and A68).
See notice from the EPO concerning the carrying out of Supplementary International Searches under the PCT (OJ EPO 2010, 316, and 2014, A117, pt. 3).
See notice from the EPO of 08.03.2017 concerning the processing by the EPO as ISA of informal comments on earlier search results ("PCT Direct") (OJ EPO 2017, A21).
See notices from the EPO concerning the introduction of a "top-up" search in the procedure under Chapter II PCT (OJ EPO 2014, A57) and online filing of the demand under Chapter II PCT (OJ EPO 2014, A71).

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