The delivery of the decision will follow a statement by the person conducting the proceedings announcing the operative part of the decision (see also III, 8.9 and X, 4).

The operative part may, for example, read as follows:

"The patent application ... is refused." or

"The opposition to the patent ... is rejected." or

"The patent ... is revoked." or

"Taking account of the amendments made by the proprietor in the opposition proceedings, the patent and the invention to which it relates satisfy the requirements of the Convention."

Once a decision has been pronounced, submissions of the party or parties cannot be considered any longer and the decision stands, subject to the correction of errors in accordance with Rule 89. It may only be amended by appeal (see XI, 1, 7 and 8).

No pronouncement need be made at this point as to the reasons for the decision or the possibility of appeal. However, the Examining or Opposition Division may give a short explanation of the reasons for the decision.

Subsequently the decision in writing containing the reasoning and information as to right of appeal must be notified to the parties without undue delay. The period for appeal will only begin to run from the date of notification of the written decision.

Generally speaking it will not be possible to give a decision granting a European patent or maintaining it in amended form in oral proceedings since, in the case of the grant of a patent, the requirements laid down in Art. 97(2) and (5), and in the case of a patent being maintained in amended form, the requirements of Art. 102(3) and (5) must be fulfilled.