Article 6

1. Where the opposition is found admissible pursuant to Article 5, the Office shall send a communication to the parties informing them that the adversarial part of the opposition proceedings shall be deemed to commence two months after receipt of the communication. That period may be extended to a total of 24 months if both parties request an extension before the two-month period expires.

2. Where, within the period referred to in paragraph 1, the application is withdrawn or restricted to goods or services against which the opposition is not directed, or the Office is informed about a settlement between the parties, or the application is rejected in parallel proceedings, the opposition proceedings shall be closed.

3. Where, within the period referred to in paragraph 1, the applicant restricts the application by deleting some of the goods or services against which the opposition is directed, the Office shall invite the opposing party to state, within such a period as it may specify, whether it maintains the opposition, and if so, against which of the remaining goods or services. Where the opposing party withdraws the opposition in light of the restriction, the opposition proceedings shall be closed.

4. Where, before the expiry of the period referred to in paragraph 1, the opposition proceedings are closed pursuant to paragraphs 2 or 3, no decision on costs shall be taken.

5. Where, before the expiry of the period referred to in paragraph 1, the opposition proceedings are closed following a withdrawal or restriction of the application pursuant to paragraph 2 or following a withdrawal of the opposition pursuant to paragraph 3, the opposition fee shall be refunded.