2.4 Internet searches 

The search can also cover internet sources, including online technical journals, online databases or other websites (see OJ EPO 2009, 456). The scope of any search on the internet will depend on the specific case, but there are some technical fields, especially in the area of information or software technology, where the most relevant prior art is unlikely to be found without systematically searching there. The search division may use the internet even when searching unpublished applications but must bear its duty to keep them confidential in mind and take great care to ensure that its search terms do not inadvertently disclose any confidential information about the invention. It is up to the search division to select suitable keywords that will enable it to search the invention effectively without disclosing it. This means, for example, not entering long portions of a claim's wording as a search term.

On the dating of internet citations, see G‑IV, 7.5.