(like a re-ex), but a standard procedure in order to obtain protection in any requested European national state.

http://www.franksco.com/services/pat...

Here's an excerpt:

The examination procedure before the European Patent Office is typically activated within 6 months to 2 years from filing. The examination procedure is somewhat lengthy, but is generally considered to be quite thorough. Patent applications are examined on the basis of novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability. There are some excluded classes of matter which are considered not to be inventions for the purpose of patentability. These include mathematical methods, methods of doing business, and scientific discoveries. However, even in these fields, patents have been granted for inventions which involve a technical contribution to the art.

Once granted, the European patent is open to opposition from third parties for a period of 9 months. Simultaneously with the opposition period, generally within 3 months of grant, the patent must be "validated" in each of the designated contracting states where protection is required to be maintained. The validation of national states generally requires filing a translation, where the application is not already in a specified language of the contracting state, and payment of fees to the local national patent offices. The criteria for validation vary from country to country. If the validation is not effected in any particular state, then the protection in that state lapses.

I wonder if the the 9 months has expired?

GLTAL