Reviewed 22 September 2006

Monitoring

You can monitor a patent application to see how it is progressing, for example before deciding to make observations on it, by:

• checking the search report
  
  
• checking the parts of the application file that are open to public inspection (OPI) or
  
  
• applying for a caveat so that we tell you when something happens to the application.

Search reports

Search reports are available for all published United Kingdom (UK) applications.

It may include:

• Documents rated as X or Y against one or more of the applicant's claims, means that during examination we will ask the applicant to change the claims.
  
  
• Documents rated as A. These citations are background art, that is related reading, and are unlikely to affect the outcome of the examination and grant procedure.
  
  
• None found, means that no relevant documents were available when we searched the application.
  
  
• No search made, usually means that we consider the invention not patentable. We can object to the application because of this at examination, without using documents to show lack of novelty or inventiveness.

You can get free access to search reports through esp@cenet.

OPI Files

You can see reports and correspondence between us and the applicant, or their attorney, on the application file of a published application.

You can check current application files by appointment and without charge at our Newport or London offices.

Caveats

You can apply for a caveat so that we tell you when something happens to an application.