3.2.9.What happens if an applicant has made use of the PCT Direct service? 

3.2.026If the applicant has made use of the PCT Direct service by filing, together with the international application, informal comments on the EPO's earlier search results for the priority application (see point 2.20.001), the EPO as ISA will take such informal comments into account when establishing the ISR and WO‑ISA. On 1 July 2015, this service was extended to international applications filed with all receiving Offices. As a result, applicants who selected the EPO as ISA will be able to use the service and submit PCT Direct letters irrespective of the receiving Office chosen. The PCT Direct service is useful for applicants interested in a positive WO‑ISA in cases where the EPO has raised objections in the search opinion for the priority application. The informal comments should be in the form of a "PCT Direct letter" filed together with the international application and should aim at overcoming the objections raised for the priority application, in particular by explaining any amendments made compared to the priority application and by commenting on the objections raised.