Who is responsible for preparing and reviewing the patent abstract?

The responsibilities for preparing and reviewing the patent abstract are divided as follows:

• Preparation: The applicant is responsible for preparing the abstract.
• Review: The examiner is responsible for reviewing the abstract for compliance with the guidelines.

The MPEP states: Preparation of the abstract is the responsibility of the applicant. Background knowledge of the art and an appreciation of the applicant’s contribution to the art are most important in the preparation of the abstract. The review of the abstract for compliance with these guidelines is the responsibility of the examiner.

If amendments are necessary, they can be made either by the applicant or by the examiner with the applicant’s approval, especially at the time of allowance or in response to a printer query.

To learn more:

• patent abstract preparation
• patent examiner duties
• patent application
• USPTO procedures