What is the purpose of Box No. IV in the International Preliminary Examination Report?
Box No. IV in the International Preliminary Examination Report (IPER) addresses the issue of unity of invention. According to MPEP 1879:
“Box No. IV is to be completed if the examiner found that the requirement of unity of invention is not fulfilled.”
The purpose of Box No. IV is to:
- Indicate whether the requirement of unity of invention has been complied with
- If unity is lacking, specify which claims relate to which inventions
- Provide reasons for the lack of unity
- Indicate whether an invitation to pay additional fees was made
If the applicant paid additional fees or limited the claims in response to a lack of unity objection, the examiner must indicate:
- Whether the applicant paid additional fees under protest
- Which claims were examined
- If applicable, that the unity requirement was still not satisfied after payment of additional fees or restriction
This box ensures that any issues related to unity of invention are clearly communicated in the IPER, providing important information for both the applicant and patent offices in the national phase.
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