How are figures selected for inclusion with the abstract in a PCT application?

The selection of figures for inclusion with the abstract in a PCT application follows these guidelines:

• The applicant may suggest a figure in the request form (PCT Rule 3.3(a)(iii)).
• The International Searching Authority (ISA) may select a different figure if it better characterizes the invention.
• If no figure is useful for understanding the abstract, the ISA may notify that no figure should be published with the abstract.

MPEP 1826 states: “If the International Searching Authority finds that a figure or figures other than that figure or those figures suggested by the applicant would, among all the figures of all the drawings, better characterize the invention, it shall […] indicate the figure or figures which should accompany the abstract when the latter is published by the International Bureau.“

To learn more:

• PCT
• abstract
• figures
• patent application
• international application