Regulation 22

The abstract shall contain a concise summary of the disclosure as contained in the specification.

The summary shall indicate the technical field to which the invention belongs and be drafted in such a way which allows a clear understanding of the technical problem to which the invention relates, the gist of the solution of that problem through the invention, and the principal use or uses of the invention.

Where appropriate, the abstract shall also contain the chemical formula which, among those contained in the specification, best characterises the invention but shall not contain statements on the alleged merits or value of the invention or on its speculative application.

The abstract shall be as concise as the disclosure permits and shall normally not contain more than 150 words.

If the specification contains any drawings, the applicant shall indicate on the abstract the figure or, exceptionally, the figures (which must in no case exceed 2) of the drawings which he suggests should accompany the abstract when published.

The Registrar may decide to publish one or more other figures if he considers that they better characterise the invention.

Each main feature mentioned in the abstract and illustrated by a drawing shall be followed by the reference sign used in that drawing.

The abstract shall be so drafted that it constitutes an efficient instrument for the purposes of searching in the particular technical field, in particular by making it possible to assess whether there is a need to consult the specification itself.