3.8.1 General issues

A valid notice of withdrawal which has been received at the EPO is binding on the applicant, although, in the case of withdrawal by mistake, R. 139 EPC (R. 88 EPC 1973) may be applicable (see e.g. J 10/87, OJ 1989, 323; J 4/97; T 1673/07; J 6/13; J 11/16). However, a withdrawal cannot be retracted once the public has been officially informed of it (J 1/11, J 2/15). A publication in the European Patent Register has the same legal effect as a publication in the European Patent Bulletin, unless otherwise specified (J 1/11, J 2/15).