On July 1, 2018, the IP5 offices launched the third phase of the
Collaborative Search & Examination Pilot Program which will be
operational throughout the next three years and at the end of which
they will, together with the International Bureau of WIPO
("CS&E Pilot Group"), assess the results and possibly
integrate it within the PCT legal framework.
The third phase of the program aims to provide the applicants
with a collaborative search result. The International Search Report
and written opinion will be drawn up by one of the IP5 offices
initially designated as International Search Authority - the main
ISA - under PCT Rule 35. Before delivery to the applicant, the main
ISA will transmit its provisional search results to the four other
offices acting as peer ISA who will perform their searches and
provide the main ISA with their findings. They will be completed at
the discretion of the search examiner of the main ISA, to the final
International Search Report.
