Where can I find additional information about the EPO as an International Searching Authority?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

For additional information about the European Patent Office (EPO) as an International Searching Authority (ISA), including subject matter limitations, additional search fees, and cited documents, you can refer to Annex D of the PCT Applicant’s Guide on the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) website.

MPEP 1840.01 states: “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).”