149

Before the IPRP Chapter II is established, a discussion by telephone between the applicant or his representatives and the EPO examiner responsible for preparing the report may be useful. Applicants or their representatives wishing to avail themselves of this opportunity must be aware of the fact that a WO-ISA established by the EPO as ISA, will be considered a first written opinion of the EPO as IPEA (see point 142). Therefore, a request for personal communication by telephone in which it is indicated what is to be discussed should preferably be filed together with the demand. If such request is filed after expiry of the time limit for filing the demand, the IPRP Chapter II may already have been established and the request cannot be granted (see point 143 ff).