Examination phase – phase I
Once you have filed an international application, PRV begins the technical examination work. This work is divided into two phases: the examination phase (phase I) and the assessment phase (phase II).
In phase I, the examination phase, we conduct a novelty examination of your invention.
When it is complete, you receive an International Search Report from us. In the report, we present the prior art, which we deem to possibly affect the patentability of your invention. At the same time, you receive an initial Written Opinion on the invention’s novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability.
Here, you can find out more about novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability.
If we find ambiguities or insufficiencies in your application, we write this in the opinion. You receive the International Search Report and the Written Opinion within 16 months of the filing date of your PCT application. If you requested priority from a previously filed patent application, such as a Swedish patent application, you will receive the International Search Report and the Written Opinion for the PCT application within 16 months of the priority date.
Find out more about priority here.
Around 18 months after the priority date, the international agency publishes your PCT application together with the International Search Report, which thereby becomes public.
During phase I, you essentially may not make any changes to your application. Nor can you respond to our opinion.
After phase I, the examination phase, comes phase II, the assessment phase (link to the page on the assessment phase)). You can choose to skip over phase II. Then the opinion from phase I is converted into a final report, a so-called International Preliminary Report on Patentability. You then need to complete your application in the countries you choose in order to receive a decision on whether a patent can be granted or not. Read more under the link below about how to complete your application.