Examination Report

A written communication issued by an examiner at the Patent Office outlining the examiner's objections to the patent application.  That is to say, the reasons why the examiner believes that a patent cannot be granted.  For example, the examiner may allege that the claimed invention is not new (lacks Novelty) or is obvious (lacks Inventive Step) from what was already publicly known when the patent application was filed.  These objections will need to be overcome before a Patent can be granted.  The term "Office Action" is also commonly used to refer to these communications (particularly for US patent applications).