How are black and white line drawings stored in patent applications?

Black and white line drawings are handled differently depending on the type of application:

• For provisional applications, nonprovisional utility patent applications, international applications (PCT), national stage applications, and reexamination proceedings for utility patents, they are converted into TIFF images and stored in IFW (Image File Wrapper).
• For design applications, including reissue design patent applications, international design applications, and reexamination proceedings for design patents, they are stored in SCORE (Supplemental Content Repository), with a black and white copy stored in IFW along with a SCORE placeholder sheet.

As stated in the MPEP: Black and white line drawings submitted in: (i) provisional applications under 35 U.S.C. 111(b); (ii) nonprovisional utility patent applications under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), including reissue utility patent applications; (iii) international applications (PCT) and national stage applications under 35 U.S.C. 371; and (iv) reexamination proceedings for utility patents will be converted into TIFF images and stored in IFW.

To learn more:

• patent drawings
• IFW
• SCORE
• TIFF images
• utility patents
• design patents