第 III 部
B. Questions about ISRs and written opinions Select an answer option on each of the ISAs you know
1) Adequacy of prior art references
1-1) Do you think novelty is assessed adequately in the ISRs? Why do you think so?
<Answer options>
1. Adequate 2. More or less adequate 3. Not very adequate 4. Not adequate 5. Don’t know 6. Other
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Reason:
1-2) Do you think inventive step is assessed adequately in the ISRs? Why do you think so?
<Answer options>
1. Adequate 2. More or less adequate 3. Not very adequate 4. Not adequate 5. Don’t know 6. Other
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Reason:
2. Coverage of prior art in technical field of claimed invention
2-1) To the best of your knowledge, do the ISAs search documents in other languages than the official languages of the countries where the ISAs are located? How did you find that?
<Answer options>
1. Yes, always. 2. In most cases. 3. In few cases. 4. No. 5. Don’t know.
6. Other
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Reason:
2-2) According to your experience, do the ISAs cite references in other languages than the official languages of the countries where the ISAs are located? Give an example, if possible.
<Answer options>
1. Yes, frequently. 2. Sometimes. 3. Rarely. 4. No. 5. Don’t know. 6. Other.
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Example:
2-3) Do you think ISRs cover an adequate technical scope of prior art? Why do you think so?
<Answer options>
1. Adequate 2. More or less adequate 3. Not very adequate 4. Not adequate 5. Don’t know 6. Other
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Reason:
3) Effect of ISRs and written opinions on examination in designated countries
3-1) Are the references cited in ISRs and written opinions also used in examination in designated countries? If different references are often added subsequently, what references are added?
<Answer options>
1. Almost all of the references cited in ISRs are used.
2. Most of the references are the same as in ISRs but some different references are added.
3. About a half of the references are from ISRs and about the same number of references are added.
4. References cited in ISRs are not used in many cases.
5. Don’t know.
6. Others
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Additional references:
4) Adequacy and clarity in relation to novelty, inventive step, industrial applicability, etc.
4-1) Do you think that the written opinions discuss novelty adequately and clearly? Why do you think so?
<Answer options>
1. Adequate and clear. 2. More or less adequate and clear.
3. Not very adequate or clear. 4. Not adequate or clear. 5. Don’t know. 6. Other.
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Reason:
4-2) Do you think that the written opinions discuss inventive step adequately and clearly?
Why do you think so?
<Answer options>
1. Adequate and clear. 2. More or less adequate and clear.
3. Not very adequate or clear. 4. Not adequate or clear. 5. Don’t know. 6. Other.
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Reason:
4-3) Do you think that the written opinions discuss industrial applicability adequately and clearly? Why do you think so?
<Answer options>
1. Adequate and clear. 2. More or less adequate and clear.
3. Not very adequate or clear. 4. Not adequate or clear. 5. Don’t know. 6. Other.
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Reason:
5 Variability in assessment
5-1) When you look at ISRs and written opinions made by the same ISA, do you find any variability (i.e. slight inconsistency or difference) in assessment of novelty, inventive step etc. between different technical fields? Why do you think so?
<Answer options>
1. Yes, frequently. 2. Sometimes. 3. Rarely. 4. No. 5. Don’t know. 6. Other.
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Reason:
5-2) When you look at ISRs and written opinions made by the same ISA, do you find any variability in assessment between examiners in charge of searches? Why do you think so?
<Answer options>
1. Yes, frequently. 2. Sometimes. 3. Rarely. 4. No. 5. Don’t know. 6. Other.
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Reason:
6) Time taken to prepare and deliver ISR and written opinion
6-1) Do you think that time taken to prepare (and deliver) an ISR or a written opinion is adequate? If you don't think so, give a specific example.
<Answer options>
1. Adequate 2. More or less adequate 3. Not very adequate 4. Not adequate 5. Don’t know 6. Other
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Example:
7) In relation to ISRs or written opinions, do you find something unsatisfactory or something that needs improvement? If "yes," please specify.
<Answer options>
1. No. 2. Yes.
<Answer>
If you select "2":