11.3 Patent family members; the "&" sign 

In the case of patent families, only a copy of the family member actually cited is normally made available. The other members are mentioned in an automatically generated annex produced for information only (see B‑X, 9.1.2). However, in certain circumstances one or more other patent documents in the same patent family may be mentioned on the search report after the "&" sign (see B‑X, 9.1.2(i)). The search division may decide that copies of these patent documents should also be made available to the applicant (they will then be included in the examination file too, and can be referred to in any search opinion).