1840.03 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).