Subject to the final sentence of this paragraph, the designation of a Contracting State may be withdrawn by the applicant at any time up to the grant of the patent. The designation fee is not refunded when a designation is withdrawn. Withdrawal of the designation of all the Contracting States results in the application being deemed to be withdrawn and the applicant is notified accordingly. The designation of a Contracting State may not be withdrawn as from the time when a third party proves to the EPO that he has initiated proceedings concerning entitlement and up to the date on which the EPO resumes proceedings for grant.