Chapter V – Time limits
(1) Where the Convention or these Implementing Regulations refer to "a period to be specified", this period shall be specified by the European Patent Office.
(2) Unless otherwise provided, a period specified by the European Patent Office shall be neither less than two months nor more than four months; in certain circumstances it may be up to six months. In special cases, the period may be extended upon request, presented before the expiry of such period.