When is a Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority not required?
A Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority is not required in a specific limited instance, as described in MPEP 1845:
“A written opinion of the International Searching Authority is not required in the limited instance where a demand for international preliminary examination and required fees (PCT Rule 69.1(a)) have been filed with the United States International Preliminary Examining Authority and the examiner considers all the conditions of PCT Article 34(2)(c)(i) to (iii) to be fulfilled.”
In this case, a positive international preliminary examination report may be issued directly, as per PCT Rule 69.1(b-bis).
To learn more: