a decision of the proprietor alone (although the Opposition Division or the opponent may apply pressure to have amendments made). The patent, however, may not be amended in such a manner that the amendment would lead to an extension of the protection conferred by the patent. If amendments are made to the patent during the opposition proceedings, the patent (and the invention to which it relates) must meet the requirements of the EPC. These requirements notably include the requirements of support in the description and clarity (), even though those are not listed as grounds of opposition in . However, the requirements to be met by the amended patent do not include the requirement of unity of invention (because divisionals cannot be filed after grant). During the opposition, oral proceedings may take place at the request of the EPO or at the request of any party to the proceedings, i.e. the patentee or an opponent. The oral proceedings are held before the Opposition Division itself. They are held in Munich, the Hague or Berlin, and are public unless very particular circumstances apply. This contrasts with oral proceedings held before an Examining Division, which are not public. The list of public oral proceedings in opposition before the EPO is available on its web site. The right to oral proceedings is a specific and codified part of the procedural right to be heard. A decision is generally pronounced at the end of the oral proceedings, with reasons to follow in writing. Outcome and effects of the opposition The opposition proceedings may have one of three outcomes: The patent is maintained as granted. This is the outcome if the opposition is rejected or if the Opposition Division decides to discontinue the opposition proceedings. The Opposition Division may decide to discontinue the opposition proceedings notably if the sole opposition or all the oppositions have been withdrawn and the patent proprietor is therefore the only remaining party to the proceedings. The withdrawal of an opposition may result from a settlement reached between the proprietor and the opponent. The opposition proceedings may also be discontinued "[i]f the European patent has been surrendered in all the designated Contracting States or has lapsed in all those States". The patent is maintained in an amended form. In this case, a new patent specification is published. The patent is revoked. This is the most successful outcome for the opponent, although