The objective of the search is to discover the state of the art which is relevant for the purpose of determining whether, and if so to what extent, the invention to which the application relates is new and involves an inventive step.

The examination procedure and the preparation of the search opinion depend on the search for the knowledge of the state of the art on which assessment of the patentability of the invention is based. The search must, therefore, be as complete and effective as possible, within the limitations necessarily imposed by issues such as unity of invention and other considerations (see III, 2, VII and VIII).