When is a search not a search? The EPO approach

The author explores certain situations in which the European patent office may issue a search report following a partial search or no search. Often designated as ‘complex applications’, some of the legal, practical and potential economic issues are covered. The position in each the following categories of complex applications is explained:–many claims–many possibilities within one claim–desiderata in claims–parameters in claims–claims leading to ‘novelty overflow’.Finally the changing situation now that a European search opinion and written opinion of the international searching authority are available is noted.