MPEP § 1840.03 — The Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) as an International Searching Authority (Annotated Rules)
This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1840.03, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.
The Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) as an International Searching Authority
This section addresses The Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) as an International Searching Authority.
Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP
This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.
Official MPEP § 1840.03 — The Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) as an International Searching Authority
Source: USPTO1840.03 The Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) as an International Searching Authority [R-10.2019]
Since November 1, 2008, the Australian Patent Office (IP Australia) has been available as an International Searching Authority (ISA) for PCT applications filed by U.S. nationals or residents in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as receiving Office or in the International Bureau (IB) as receiving Office. The original announcement appeared in the Official Gazette at 1337 OG 265 on December 23, 2008. An announcement modifying the arrangement with IP Australia appeared in the Official Gazette at 1409 OG 302 on December 30, 2014.
For any limitations or restrictions with IP Australia as an ISA, please refer to the PCT Information section of the Official Gazette found on the USPTO’s website (www.uspto.gov/ learning-and-resources/official-gazette).
For additional information, e.g., subject matter limitations, additional search fees, cited documents, etc., please refer to Annex D of the PCT Applicant’s Guide found on WIPO’s website (www.wipo.int/pct/en/guide/index.html).