How does the IPEA/US handle the written opinion of the International Searching Authority?
The United States International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA/US) generally considers the written opinion of the International Searching Authority (ISA) to be the first written opinion of the IPEA. As stated in the MPEP:
The United States International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA/US) will consider the written opinion of the International Searching Authority to be the first written opinion of the IPEA and as such in most instances no further written opinion need be issued by the U.S. examiner handling the international preliminary examination before establishment of the international preliminary examination report, even if there are objections outstanding.
This approach streamlines the examination process, as the examiner can proceed directly to the international preliminary examination report unless specific circumstances require a further written opinion.
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