2.4 Redefining the searched subject-matter 

Throughout its search, the search division continuously evaluates the results obtained so far and, based on the outcome, uses its judgement to decide whether to redefine the searched subject-matter. For example, the results may show that it needs to change the classification units selected for search or the order of searching them. They may also show that it needs to approach the search documentation in a different way, e.g. by consulting:

(i)documents cited in relevant documents found during the search, for example cited in the description or search report of a patent document, or 

(ii)documents citing a relevant document found during the search 

or that it needs to turn to documentation not available to it in-house (see B‑IX). When searching external document collections for material relating to unpublished subject-matter using non-secure connections, e.g. on the internet, the search division must choose its search strategies extremely carefully to ensure it does not unwittingly reveal confidential material – i.e. any part of the unpublished patent application (see B‑III, 2.4).