2.4 Facts and submissions 

For general aspects relating to facts and submissions, see E‑IX, 1.3.2E‑X, 1.3.2. Facts and submissions which are irrelevant to the decision, e.g. requests for amendment which are not maintained, are to be omitted. The facts and submissions must be consistent with what is recorded in the minutes of oral proceedings (also see E‑III, 10.3).

The facts and submissions must clearly indicate the subject-matter of the application and the documents on which the decision is based. In examination, this requirement is met by including a detailed reference to the application documents dealt with in the decision, including, in particular, any amendments to the claims or to the description and any maintained auxiliary requests. In addition, the examining division may cite the text of any important claims or passages of the description in the decision. In opposition, the text of the independent claims and other especially important claims or passages of the description on which the decision is based must be cited verbatim in the language of the proceedings (Rule 3(2)) either by copying the text into the decision or annexing a copy of the claims. As regards the dependent claims, it may be sufficient to refer to the file.