What common mistakes should I avoid when writing my patent application abstract?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

When writing your patent application abstract, it’s important to avoid several common mistakes. The MPEP 608.01(b) provides guidance on what to avoid:

The abstract should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, ‘The disclosure concerns,’ ‘The disclosure defined by this invention,’ ‘The disclosure describes,’ etc.

Common mistakes to avoid include:

• Using legal phraseology or claims language
• Exceeding the 150-word limit
• Including speculative applications or purported merits of the invention
• Comparing the invention to prior art
• Using implied phrases like ‘This invention relates to…’
• Including extraneous information not crucial to understanding the invention
• Writing in a promotional or biased manner

By avoiding these mistakes, you can create a clear, concise, and effective abstract that accurately represents your invention.