What is the consequence of an International Searching Authority (ISA) reviewing the unity of invention?

The consequence of an International Searching Authority (ISA) reviewing the unity of invention primarily focuses on whether multiple inventions in a patent application can be grouped together based on their shared characteristics or connections. This assessment is crucial because the unity of invention requirement ensures that a single patent application addresses a single general inventive concept.

If the ISA finds that there are multiple inventions that do not share a common concept, it might require the applicant to limit the application to a single invention or divide the application into multiple applications. Therefore, the review by the ISA is essential in determining whether the claims can be grouped together and if additional searches are needed for each distinct invention.

In contrast to the role of the ISA in assessing unity, options involving rejection of the application, establishing filing dates, or permitting additional claims do not directly align with the specific outcome of this review process. The focus here is on the grouping of inventions and the assessment of their unity, which is why the selection aligns correctly with the function of the ISA.