「欧州特許出願の手続で注意すべき点」
（「２つの出願ルートによる欧州特許出願の手続の比較（２）」の続き）
・２００５年７月１日以降の全て欧州出願については、欧州調査報告の他に、ＥＰＣの要件（実体的要件、形式的要件）を満たしているか否かに関する意見が作成される（拡張された欧州調査報告）。この意見は公開されない（施行規則６２、審査基準Ｂ―ＸＩＩ ３）。
Rule 62
Extended European search report
(1) The European search report shall be accompanied by an opinion on whether the application and the invention to which it relates seem to meet the requirements of this Convention, unless a communication under Rule 71, paragraph 1 or 3, can be issued.
(2) The opinion under paragraph 1 shall not be published together with the search report.
Guidelines for Examination
B-XII 3. Analysis of the application and content of the search opinion
Where it is held that the application and/or the invention to which it relates does not satisfy the requirements of the EPC, then corresponding objections are raised in the search opinion.
・拡張された欧州調査報告を受け取った後であって１回目の局指令が発行される前においては、出願人は欧州調査報告および意見に対してコメントおよび補正書を提出することが可能である（審査基準Ｃ－ＶＩ ３．２）。応答しない場合、一般的に、拡張された欧州調査報告と同じ内容の１回目の拒絶理由通知が発行される（審査基準Ｃ－ＶＩ ３．５）。
Guidelines for Examination
C-VI 3.2 Filing of comments and amendments by the applicant; PACE
Following receipt of the search report and prior to the first communication from the examining division, the applicant may file comments on the search report and if applicable on the search opinion, and file amendments to the description, claims or drawings. These amendments may be submitted to overcome the objections raised in the search opinion or they may be suggested for some other reason, e.g. to remedy some obscurity which the applicant himself has noted in the original documents.
C-VI 3.5 First communication
If no search opinion has been issued (see 1.1.2 above, III, 7.11.1(ii) and B-XII, 1.1), the examiner’s first communication under Art. 94(3) will, as a general rule (see B-XII, 3), cover all objections to the application (but see B-XII, 3.4). These objections may relate to formal matters (e.g. failure to comply with one or more of the requirements specified in Rules 30 to 34, 41 to 43, 46 and 48 to 50), to substantive matters (e.g. the subject-matter of the application is not patentable), or to both.
If a search opinion according to Rule 62(1) has been issued, and if the applicant has not replied to it, a communication referring to the search opinion and setting a time limit for reply will be issued as the first communication under Art. 94(3). Failure to respond to this communication in due time will result in the application being deemed withdrawn according to Art. 94(4). If the applicant has filed amendments or comments in response to the search opinion, they will be taken into account when drafting the first communication.
・２０１０年４月１日以降に発行された欧州調査報告（及び拡張された欧州調査報告）に対しては、所定期間内にコメントを提出することが義務づけられる。提出しない場合には出願が取り下げられたものと見なされる（規則７０ａ）。
Rule 70a Response to the extended European search report
(1) In the opinion accompanying the European search report the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite him to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 1.
(2) In the case referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 2, or if a supplementary European search report is drawn up on a Euro-PCT-application, the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite him to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period specified for indicating whether he wishes to proceed further with the application.
(3) If the applicant neither complies with nor comments on an invitation in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
椿特許事務所
弁理士ＩＴ
