1843.02 <>: "The USPTO has declared that it will search and examine, in international applications, all subject matter searched and examined in U.S. national applications. However under PCT *>Rules< 39, > 43 bis.1(b), 66.1(e) and 67.1,< no International Searching Authority is required to perform an international search >or to establish a written opinion concerning novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability< where the international application relates to any of the following subject matters:
(A) Scientific and mathematical theories;
(B) Plant or animal varieties or essentially biological processes for the production of plants and animals, other than microbiological processes and the products of such processes;
(C) Schemes, rules or methods of doing business, performing purely mental acts or playing games;
(D) Methods for treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy, as well as diagnostic methods;
(E) Mere presentation of information; and
(F) Computer programs to the extent ** the said Authority is not equipped to search prior art **>concerning such programs<. >See PCT Rule 39. In addition, the examiner is not required to search the international application, to the extent that a meaningful search cannot be carried out, in certain cases where a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence listing is not furnished in accordance with the prescribed standard or in a computer readable form. See Administrative Instructions Section 513(c). However, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has declared that it will search and examine all subject matter searched and examined in U.S. national applications.< The applicant considering the filing of an international application may be well advised not to file one if the subject matter of the application falls into one of the above mentioned areas. If he or she still does file, the International Searching Authority may declare that it will not establish an international search report. Accordingly, applicant should take into consideration which International Searching Authority (e.g., European Patent Office) he or she selects to conduct the international search. It is to be noted, nevertheless, that the lack of the international search report in such case will not have, in itself, any influence on the validity of the international application and the latter's processing will continue, including its communication to the designated Offices."
