The ‘Collaborative Search And Examination' Enterprising Or Overrated?

Traditionally, when an International Patent Application is made through Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), international searches and examinations are carried out by International Search Authority (ISA) or International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA). The National Office of a country is generally granted the status of ISA/IPEA which performs an international search for prior art and issues report regarding the patentability of the claims of the application. The written opinion serves as a good predictor for the patentability of the applicant's invention. The applicant, based on this report, can either request for examination and proceed with the national phase or hold off any further proceedings.