How is the figure for printing in the Official Gazette selected?

The figure for printing in the Official Gazette is selected by the examiner and recorded on the Issue Classification sheet. This selection process follows specific guidelines to ensure the chosen figure is representative of the claimed invention.

According to the MPEP: Examiners, when preparing an application for issue, are to record the figure selected for printing in the Official Gazette in the box labeled “Print Fig.” on the Issue Classification sheet.

Key points about figure selection include:

• Ordinarily, a single figure is selected for printing.
• The selected figure should be consistent with the claim to be printed in the Official Gazette.
• The figure must not be labeled as “prior art.”
• If no figure is illustrative of or helpful in understanding the claimed invention, “None” may be written in the “Print Fig.” box.

To learn more:

• Official Gazette
• Figure Selection
• Patent Publication