Patent Law FAQ

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.

To learn more:

• common mistakes
• abstract writing
• patent application