International Search Authority (ISA)

The International Search Authority (ISA) is a government or organization responsible for examining a patent application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Its role is to evaluate whether an invention is new and inventive, producing an international patent search report and written opinion. This initial assessment helps applicants decide whether to pursue patent protection in individual countries. Essentially, the ISA acts as a preliminary evaluator, providing valuable insights early in the patent process to streamline and inform subsequent national or regional patent applications.