3.3.4 Voluntary reply to Rule 161(1) communication

In cases (i) and (ii) mentioned in E‑IX, 3.3.1 and the case mentioned in E‑IX, 3.3.2 where the applicants are not required to respond to the WO‑ISA, SISR or IPER prepared by the EPO (in response to the invitation under Rule 161(1)), they may still do so by filing further amendments and/or comments if they so wish. Once again it is advisable that the requirements of Rule 137(4) are fulfilled for any such amendments when they are filed, thus avoiding a further communication according to Rule 137(4).