The objective of the international search is to discover the prior art which is relevant for the purpose of determining whether, and if so to what extent, the claimed invention to which the international application relates is or is not novel and does or does not involve an inventive step. Based on above the International Searching Authority (ISA) establishes either an International Search Report (ISR) or a Declaration of non establishment of ISR.

At the same time as establishing the International Search Report, a written opinion is also to be established defining as to whether the claimed invention appears to be novel, involve an inventive step, be industrially applicable and meet with the other requirements of the Treaty which are checked by the ISA.

The international search is carried out in accordance with the International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines.

This allows the applicant to assess, already at the search stage, whether to proceed to the national/regional phase.