5.4 Communication of observations from one of the parties to the other parties 

The formalities officer will, at any stage in the procedure, immediately communicate the observations of any of the parties to the other parties for information. However, copies of documents supporting the parties' submissions, which are available for inspection via the Register, will no longer be transmitted (see also D‑IV, 5.2, A‑XI, 2 and the notice from the EPO dated 28 August 2020, OJ EPO 2020, A106).

If the opposition division considers that observations are called for in the course of the further procedure, a separate invitation is issued and a period is fixed (normally four months), with or without a communication stating the grounds.