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1826 MANUALOF PATENT EXAMlNlNGPROCEDURE
Different figures onthe sheets of drawings must be
numbered in Arabic numerals consecutively and independently
of the numbering of the sheets and, ifpossible,.in
the order in which they appear. This numbering
should be preceded by the expression "Fig."
The PCT makes no provision for photographs.
Nevertheless, they are allowed by the International
Bureau where it is impossible to present in a drawing
what is to be shown (for instance, crystalline stmctures).
Where, exceptionally, photographs are subntitted,
they must be on sheets of A4 size, they must be
black and white, and they must respect the ntinimurn
margins and admit of direct reproduction. Color photographs
are notaccepted.
The procedure for rectification of obvious errors in
the drawings is explained in MPEP § 1836. The omission
of an entire sheet of drawings cannotbe rectified
without affecting the international filing date.
Changes other than the rectification.of obvious errors
are consideredamendments.
The drawings can be amended during the international
phase only if the applicant files a Demand for
international prelintinary exantination. The drawings
can also be amended during the national phase.
If drawings are referred to in an international application
and are not found in the search copy file, the
exantiner should refer the application to a Special
Program Exantiner in his or her Technology Center.
See Adntinistrative Instmctions Section 310.
1826 The Abstract
PCT Rule 8.
The Abstract
8.1.Contents and Form ofthe Abstract
(a) The abstract shall consist of the following:
(i) a summary of the disclosure as contained in the
description, the claims, and anydrawings; the summary shall indicate
the technical field to whichthe invention pertains and shall be
drafted in a way which allows the clear understanding of the technieal
problem,_the gist of the solution of that problem through the
invention, and the principal use or uses of the invention;
(ii) -where applicable, the chemicalformula which, among
all the fonnulaecontained in the international application, best
characterizes the invention.
(b) The abstract shall be as concise as the disclosure permits
(preferably 50 to 150 words if it is in English or when translated
into English).
(c) The abstract shall not contain statements on the alleged
merits or value of the claimed invention or on its speculative
application.
August 2001
1800-36
(d) Each main technical feature mentioned in the abstract
and illustrated by a drawing in the international application shall
be,followed by a reference, sign, placed between parentheses.
8.2.Figure
(a) lithe applicant fails to make the indication referred to in
Rule 3.3(a)(iii), or if the International Searching Authority finds
that a figure or figures other than th,at,figure or those figures suggested
by the applicant would, among all the figures of all the
drawings, better characterize the invention, it shall, subject to
paragraph (b): indicate the figure or figures which should accompany
the abstract when the latter is published by the International
Bureau. In such case, the abstract shall be accompanied by the figure
or figures so indicated by the International Searching Authority.
Otherwise, the abstract shall, subject to paragraph (b), be
accompanied by the figure or figures suggested by the ,applicant.
(b) If the International Searching Authority finds that none
of the figures of the-drawings is useful for the understanding of
the abstract, it shall notify the International Bureau accordingly. In
such case, the abstract, when published' by 'the International
Bureau, shall' not 'be accompanied by 'any figure of the drawings
even where the applicant has made a suggestion under Rule
3.3(a)(iii).
8.3.Guiding Principles in Drafting
The abstract'shall be so drafted that it can efficiently serve as a
scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art, especially
'by assisting the scientist, engineer or researcher in formulating
ail opinion on whether there is a need, for consulting the
international application itself.
37 CFR 1.438. The abstract.
(a) Requirements as to the content and form of the abstract
are set forth in peTRule 8, and shallbe adhered to.
(b) Lack of an abstract upon filing of an international applicationwill
not affect the granting of a filing date. However, failure
to furnish an abstract within one month from the date of the notification
by the Receiving Office will result in the international
application being declared withdrawn.
The abstract must consist of a summary of the disclosure
as contained in the description, the claims and
any drawings. Where applicable, it must also contain
the most characteristic chentical formula. The abstract
must be as concise as the disclosure permits (preferably
50 to 150 words if it is in English or when translated
into English). National practice (see MPEP
§ 608.0l(b)) also provides a maximum of 150 words
for the abstract. See 37 CFR 1.n(b). The PCT range
of 50 - 150 words is not absolute but publication problems
could result when the PCT lintit is increased
beyond the 150 word limit. Maintaining the peT
upper lintit is encouraged. As a rule of thumb, it can
be said that the volume of the text of ·the abstract,
including one of the figures from the drawings (if