Artikel 70a

1. In the opinion accompanying the European search report the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite them to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 1.
2. In the case referred to in Rule 70, paragraph 2, or if a supplementary European search report is drawn up on a Euro-PCT application, the European Patent Office shall give the applicant the opportunity to comment on the extended European search report and, where appropriate, invite them to correct any deficiencies noted in the opinion accompanying the European search report and to amend the description, claims and drawings within the period specified for indicating whether they wish to proceed further with the application.
3. If the applicant neither complies with nor comments on an invitation in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.