Chapter V – Drawings
  1. Home
  2. Legal texts
  3. PCT-EPO Guidelines
  4. Table of Contents
  5. PCT Part A
  6. Chapter V
  7. 11. Graphic forms of presentation not considered to be drawings
  8. 11.1 Chemical and mathematical formulae
Print
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

11. Graphic forms of presentation not considered to be drawings

Overview

11.1 Chemical and mathematical formulae 

The description, the claims and the abstract may contain chemical or mathematical formulae. Such formulae may be written by hand or drawn if necessary but it is recommended that appropriate drafting aids or materials, such as stencils or transfers, be used. For practical reasons formulae may be grouped together on one or more sheets in the description and paginated with it. In such cases, it is recommended that each formula be designated by a reference sign and that the description contain references to the formulae whenever necessary.

Rule 11.9(b), 11.10(b)
PCT AG I 5.107

Chemical or mathematical formulae must employ symbols in general use and must be drawn in such a way that they are completely unambiguous. Numerals, letters and signs which are not typed must be legible and identical in form in the various formulae, irrespective of the element of the international application in which they appear. Chemical or mathematical formulae appearing in the text of the international application must have symbols, the capital letters of which are at least 0.28 cm high. Where they appear on sheets of drawings, these symbols must be at least 0.32 cm high. All mathematical symbols used in a formula which appear in the description or on sheets of drawings should be explained in the description, unless their significance is clear from the context. In any case, the mathematical symbols used may be collated in a list.

Rule 11.9(d)
PCT AG I 5.108

Previous
Next
Footer - Service & support
  • Service & support
    • Website updates
    • Availability of online services
    • FAQ
    • Publications
    • Procedural communications
    • Contact us
    • Subscription centre
    • Official holidays
    • Glossary
Footer - More links
  • Jobs & careers
  • Press centre
  • Single Access Portal
  • Procurement
  • Boards of Appeal
Facebook
European Patent Office
EPO Jobs
Instagram
EuropeanPatentOffice
Linkedin
European Patent Office
EPO Jobs
EPO Procurement
X (formerly Twitter)
EPOorg
EPOjobs
Youtube
TheEPO
Footer
  • Legal notice
  • Terms of use
  • Data protection and privacy
  • Accessibility