MPEP § 1509 — Reissue of a Design Patent (Annotated Rules)

§1509 Reissue of a Design Patent

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1509, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Reissue of a Design Patent

This section addresses Reissue of a Design Patent. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3). Contains: 7 requirements, 3 prohibitions, 1 guidance statement, and 3 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Drawing Views Required

14 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1509-960e64ffd90d55c900b8c1ad]
Changed Drawing Views Required for Design Reissue
Note:
The reissue application must include changed drawing views from both canceled and amended versions, as well as any previously printed views that have been canceled but not replaced.

A reissue application must be filed with a copy of all drawing views of the design patent regardless of whether certain views are being cancelled or amended in the reissue application. Inasmuch as the drawing is the primary means for showing the design being claimed, it is important for purposes of comparison that the reissue of the design patent shows a changed drawing view in both its canceled and amended versions and/or show a previously printed drawing view that has been canceled but not replaced. In addition to drawing views that are unchanged from the original design patent, the drawing in the reissue application may include the following views, all of which will be printed as part of the design reissue patent:

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDesign Patent DrawingsDesign Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1509-dba4b9e41b2864568bdab5e5]
Canceled Drawing View Must Be Bracketed and Labeled
Note:
A canceled drawing view must be surrounded by brackets and labeled as ‘Canceled’ in the figure. If replaced, the corresponding description may or may not need to be amended.

(1) CANCELED drawing view. Such a drawing view must be surrounded by brackets and must be labeled as “Canceled.” For example, FIG. 3 (Canceled). If a drawing view is canceled but not replaced the corresponding figure description in the reissue specification must also be cancelled. However, if a drawing view is cancelled and replaced by an amended drawing view the corresponding figure description in the reissue specification may or may not need to be amended.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDrawing Amendments in ReissueDesign Patent Drawings
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1509-79694719feab536561ca1b9e]
Canceled Drawing View Must Be Bracketed and Labeled
Note:
A canceled drawing view must be surrounded by brackets and labeled as 'Canceled'. If replaced, the corresponding figure description may or may not need to be amended.

(1) CANCELED drawing view. Such a drawing view must be surrounded by brackets and must be labeled as “Canceled.” For example, FIG. 3 (Canceled). If a drawing view is canceled but not replaced the corresponding figure description in the reissue specification must also be cancelled. However, if a drawing view is cancelled and replaced by an amended drawing view the corresponding figure description in the reissue specification may or may not need to be amended.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDrawing Amendments in ReissueDesign Patent Drawings
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-1509-47f10082f960bce783edba9b]
Canceled Drawing Requires Canceling Description
Note:
If a drawing view is canceled, the corresponding figure description in the reissue specification must also be canceled. However, if an amended drawing replaces the canceled one, the figure description may or may not need to be updated.

(1) CANCELED drawing view. Such a drawing view must be surrounded by brackets and must be labeled as “Canceled.” For example, FIG. 3 (Canceled). If a drawing view is canceled but not replaced the corresponding figure description in the reissue specification must also be cancelled. However, if a drawing view is cancelled and replaced by an amended drawing view the corresponding figure description in the reissue specification may or may not need to be amended.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDrawing Amendments in ReissueDesign Patent Drawings
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1509-e5eccbc0dfec35ec087e4671]
Amended Drawing View Must Be Labeled
Note:
An amended drawing view must be labeled as 'Amended' and may or may not have a corresponding canceled version with the same figure number.

(2) AMENDED drawing view. Such a drawing view must be labeled as “Amended.” For example, FIG. 3 (Amended). When an amended drawing view is present, there may or may not be a corresponding canceled drawing view. If there is such a corresponding canceled drawing view, the amended and canceled drawing views should have the same figure number. The specification of the reissue application need not indicate that there is both a canceled version and an amended version of the drawing view.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDesign Patent DrawingsDesign Patent Practice
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1509-99aa10a0b2a7c8b49915d30d]
Amended Drawing View Must Be Labeled
Note:
An amended drawing view in a design patent reissue must be labeled as 'Amended' and may or may not have a corresponding canceled version with the same figure number.

(2) AMENDED drawing view. Such a drawing view must be labeled as “Amended.” For example, FIG. 3 (Amended). When an amended drawing view is present, there may or may not be a corresponding canceled drawing view. If there is such a corresponding canceled drawing view, the amended and canceled drawing views should have the same figure number. The specification of the reissue application need not indicate that there is both a canceled version and an amended version of the drawing view.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDesign Patent DrawingsDesign Patent Practice
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-1509-8bb8b56d4ae75ea8268a4f62]
Amended Drawing View May Or May Not Have Corresponding Canceled Version
Note:
When an amended drawing view is present, it may be accompanied by a corresponding canceled drawing view with the same figure number, but this is not mandatory.

(2) AMENDED drawing view. Such a drawing view must be labeled as “Amended.” For example, FIG. 3 (Amended). When an amended drawing view is present, there may or may not be a corresponding canceled drawing view. If there is such a corresponding canceled drawing view, the amended and canceled drawing views should have the same figure number. The specification of the reissue application need not indicate that there is both a canceled version and an amended version of the drawing view.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDesign Patent DrawingsDesign Patent Practice
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-1509-fc37f45a3c6f40c8c4c6e14e]
Amended and Canceled Drawing Views Must Have Same Figure Number
Note:
If a corresponding canceled drawing view exists, the amended and canceled views must share the same figure number.

(2) AMENDED drawing view. Such a drawing view must be labeled as “Amended.” For example, FIG. 3 (Amended). When an amended drawing view is present, there may or may not be a corresponding canceled drawing view. If there is such a corresponding canceled drawing view, the amended and canceled drawing views should have the same figure number. The specification of the reissue application need not indicate that there is both a canceled version and an amended version of the drawing view.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDesign Patent DrawingsDesign Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1509-1fbe73cb3d08e36e7d05634b]
Specification Does Not Need to Mention Both Amended and Canceled Views
Note:
The specification of a reissue application does not need to explicitly state that there are both amended and canceled versions of the drawing views.

(2) AMENDED drawing view. Such a drawing view must be labeled as “Amended.” For example, FIG. 3 (Amended). When an amended drawing view is present, there may or may not be a corresponding canceled drawing view. If there is such a corresponding canceled drawing view, the amended and canceled drawing views should have the same figure number. The specification of the reissue application need not indicate that there is both a canceled version and an amended version of the drawing view.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredReissue Filing RequirementsDesign Patent Drawings
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1509-6b58adf3001dff1e70bba129]
New Drawing View Must Be Labeled and Have Unique Number
Note:
The new drawing view must be labeled as 'New' and have a unique figure number not previously used in the original design patent.

(3) NEW drawing view. Such a drawing view must be labeled as “New” For example, FIG. 5 (New). The new drawing view should have a new figure number, that is, a figure number that did not appear in the original design patent. The specification of the reissue application must include a figure description of the new drawing view.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDesign Patent DrawingsReissue Filing Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1509-f7e8b5a852ebd6e96810bee9]
New Drawing View Must Be Labeled as New
Note:
A new drawing view must be labeled with (New) and have a unique figure number not present in the original design patent.

(3) NEW drawing view. Such a drawing view must be labeled as “New” For example, FIG. 5 (New). The new drawing view should have a new figure number, that is, a figure number that did not appear in the original design patent. The specification of the reissue application must include a figure description of the new drawing view.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDesign Patent DrawingsReissue Filing Requirements
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-1509-6b2cf17c4f41e86efed19c50]
New Drawing View Requires Unique Figure Number
Note:
A new drawing view must have a unique figure number not present in the original design patent.

(3) NEW drawing view. Such a drawing view must be labeled as “New” For example, FIG. 5 (New). The new drawing view should have a new figure number, that is, a figure number that did not appear in the original design patent. The specification of the reissue application must include a figure description of the new drawing view.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDesign Patent DrawingsDesign Patent Practice
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1509-693c1af915b424859755722f]
Specification Must Describe New Drawing View
Note:
The specification of the reissue application must include a description of any new drawing view that has not appeared in the original design patent.

(3) NEW drawing view. Such a drawing view must be labeled as “New” For example, FIG. 5 (New). The new drawing view should have a new figure number, that is, a figure number that did not appear in the original design patent. The specification of the reissue application must include a figure description of the new drawing view.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredReissue Filing RequirementsDesign Patent Drawings
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1509-aab1fcfe1bae0fac9f47c6cb]
Reissue Specification Must Explain Broken Lines
Note:
The reissue specification must include a statement explaining why certain solid lines were converted to broken lines in the amended drawing view.

If a drawing view includes both a cancelled and amended version, and the change in the amended version is for the purpose of converting certain solid lines to broken lines, the reissue specification must include a statement indicating the purpose of the broken lines.

Jump to MPEP SourceDrawing Views RequiredDesign Patent DrawingsDesign Patent Practice
Topic

Design Term and Reissue

3 rules
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-1509-ce0fe5c96f4c16511b100f27]
Design Patent Term Cannot Be Extended by Reissue
Note:
The term of a design patent cannot be extended through reissue, even if the purpose is to correct the drawing.

The term of a design patent may not be extended by reissue. See Ex parte Lawrence, 70 USPQ 326 (Comm’r Pat. 1946). If a reissue application is filed for the purpose of correcting the drawing of a design patent, either by canceling views, amending views or adding new views, the provisions of 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3) must be followed. All changes to the patent drawing shall be explained, in detail, beginning on a separate sheet accompanying the papers including the amendment to the drawing. A marked-up copy of any amended drawing figure, including annotations indicating the changes made, should be submitted. The marked-up copy must be clearly labeled as “Annotated Marked-up Drawings” and it must be presented in the amendment or remarks section that explains the change to the drawing.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3)Design Term and ReissueDesign Patent TermDesign Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1509-266c09243f2f1f4476dd9808]
Term of Design Patent Cannot Be Extended by Reissue
Note:
The term of a design patent cannot be extended through reissue, and any changes to the drawing must follow specific requirements.

The term of a design patent may not be extended by reissue. See Ex parte Lawrence, 70 USPQ 326 (Comm’r Pat. 1946). If a reissue application is filed for the purpose of correcting the drawing of a design patent, either by canceling views, amending views or adding new views, the provisions of 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3) must be followed. All changes to the patent drawing shall be explained, in detail, beginning on a separate sheet accompanying the papers including the amendment to the drawing. A marked-up copy of any amended drawing figure, including annotations indicating the changes made, should be submitted. The marked-up copy must be clearly labeled as “Annotated Marked-up Drawings” and it must be presented in the amendment or remarks section that explains the change to the drawing.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3)Design Term and ReissueDrawing Amendments in ReissueReissue Filing Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1509-e8534ac6aee01363d31ee05c]
Provisions for Correcting Design Patent Drawings via Reissue
Note:
When correcting design patent drawings through a reissue application, the provisions of 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3) must be followed by explaining all changes in detail and submitting marked-up copies.

The term of a design patent may not be extended by reissue. See Ex parte Lawrence, 70 USPQ 326 (Comm’r Pat. 1946). If a reissue application is filed for the purpose of correcting the drawing of a design patent, either by canceling views, amending views or adding new views, the provisions of 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3) must be followed. All changes to the patent drawing shall be explained, in detail, beginning on a separate sheet accompanying the papers including the amendment to the drawing. A marked-up copy of any amended drawing figure, including annotations indicating the changes made, should be submitted. The marked-up copy must be clearly labeled as “Annotated Marked-up Drawings” and it must be presented in the amendment or remarks section that explains the change to the drawing.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3)Design Term and ReissueDrawing Amendments in ReissueAmendments in Reissue
Topic

Drawing Amendments in Reissue

3 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1509-610c9c0f054944bc7b1937e4]
Amendments to Patent Drawing Must Be Explained
Note:
All changes to the patent drawing must be detailed on a separate sheet and included in the amendment papers.

The term of a design patent may not be extended by reissue. See Ex parte Lawrence, 70 USPQ 326 (Comm’r Pat. 1946). If a reissue application is filed for the purpose of correcting the drawing of a design patent, either by canceling views, amending views or adding new views, the provisions of 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3) must be followed. All changes to the patent drawing shall be explained, in detail, beginning on a separate sheet accompanying the papers including the amendment to the drawing. A marked-up copy of any amended drawing figure, including annotations indicating the changes made, should be submitted. The marked-up copy must be clearly labeled as “Annotated Marked-up Drawings” and it must be presented in the amendment or remarks section that explains the change to the drawing.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3)Drawing Amendments in ReissueAmendments in ReissueDesign Term and Reissue
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-1509-a2763802124f82edc9265067]
Annotated Marked-up Drawings Required for Design Patent Reissue
Note:
A marked-up copy of any amended drawing figure, including annotations indicating the changes made, must be submitted when amending a design patent.

The term of a design patent may not be extended by reissue. See Ex parte Lawrence, 70 USPQ 326 (Comm’r Pat. 1946). If a reissue application is filed for the purpose of correcting the drawing of a design patent, either by canceling views, amending views or adding new views, the provisions of 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3) must be followed. All changes to the patent drawing shall be explained, in detail, beginning on a separate sheet accompanying the papers including the amendment to the drawing. A marked-up copy of any amended drawing figure, including annotations indicating the changes made, should be submitted. The marked-up copy must be clearly labeled as “Annotated Marked-up Drawings” and it must be presented in the amendment or remarks section that explains the change to the drawing.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3)Drawing Amendments in ReissueDesign Term and ReissueReissue Filing Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1509-96186801fb50cd99fd81ffda]
Amended Drawing Must Be Clearly Labeled and Explained
Note:
The amended drawing figure must be clearly labeled as 'Annotated Marked-up Drawings' and explained in the amendment or remarks section.

The term of a design patent may not be extended by reissue. See Ex parte Lawrence, 70 USPQ 326 (Comm’r Pat. 1946). If a reissue application is filed for the purpose of correcting the drawing of a design patent, either by canceling views, amending views or adding new views, the provisions of 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3) must be followed. All changes to the patent drawing shall be explained, in detail, beginning on a separate sheet accompanying the papers including the amendment to the drawing. A marked-up copy of any amended drawing figure, including annotations indicating the changes made, should be submitted. The marked-up copy must be clearly labeled as “Annotated Marked-up Drawings” and it must be presented in the amendment or remarks section that explains the change to the drawing.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.173(b)(3)Drawing Amendments in ReissueReissue Filing RequirementsAmendments in Reissue
Topic

Reissue Fees

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1509-3f02f204d488bafdf6118d60]
Search and Examination Fees for Design Reissue Application
Note:
The rule specifies that search and examination fees must be paid when filing a design reissue application.

For design reissue application filing, search and examination fees, see 37 CFR 1.16(e). For the fee for issuing a reissue design patent, see 37 CFR 1.18(a).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(e)Reissue FeesFiling, Search & Examination FeesReissue Application Filing
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1509-5dcd41466a1d64f0e17a013b]
Fee for Issuing Reissue Design Patent Required
Note:
The rule requires the payment of a fee for issuing a reissue design patent as specified in 37 CFR 1.18(a).

For design reissue application filing, search and examination fees, see 37 CFR 1.16(e). For the fee for issuing a reissue design patent, see 37 CFR 1.18(a).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(e)Reissue FeesIssue FeesFee Requirements
Topic

Design Patent Practice

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1509-118abffdbc208646ab9a54af]
Canceled Drawing View Must Be Bracketed and Labeled
Note:
A canceled drawing view must be surrounded by brackets and labeled as 'Canceled'. The corresponding figure description in the reissue specification may or may not need to be amended if a new drawing replaces the canceled one.

(1) CANCELED drawing view. Such a drawing view must be surrounded by brackets and must be labeled as “Canceled.” For example, FIG. 3 (Canceled). If a drawing view is canceled but not replaced the corresponding figure description in the reissue specification must also be cancelled. However, if a drawing view is cancelled and replaced by an amended drawing view the corresponding figure description in the reissue specification may or may not need to be amended.

Jump to MPEP SourceDesign Patent PracticeDrawing Views RequiredDrawing Amendments in Reissue
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1509-c884e1538257205eeeba2134]
Amended Drawing View Must Be Labeled
Note:
An amended drawing view must be labeled as 'Amended' and may or may not have a corresponding canceled version with the same figure number.

(2) AMENDED drawing view. Such a drawing view must be labeled as “Amended.” For example, FIG. 3 (Amended). When an amended drawing view is present, there may or may not be a corresponding canceled drawing view. If there is such a corresponding canceled drawing view, the amended and canceled drawing views should have the same figure number. The specification of the reissue application need not indicate that there is both a canceled version and an amended version of the drawing view.

Jump to MPEP SourceDesign Patent PracticeDrawing Views RequiredReissue Filing Requirements
Topic

Design Patent Drawings

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1509-62a0d968e032e98f47bd73d3]
All Drawing Views Must Be Included In Reissue Application
Note:
A reissue application for a design patent must include all drawing views, even if some are cancelled or amended.

A reissue application must be filed with a copy of all drawing views of the design patent regardless of whether certain views are being cancelled or amended in the reissue application. Inasmuch as the drawing is the primary means for showing the design being claimed, it is important for purposes of comparison that the reissue of the design patent shows a changed drawing view in both its canceled and amended versions and/or show a previously printed drawing view that has been canceled but not replaced. In addition to drawing views that are unchanged from the original design patent, the drawing in the reissue application may include the following views, all of which will be printed as part of the design reissue patent:

Jump to MPEP SourceDesign Patent DrawingsDesign Patent PracticeDrawing Views Required
Topic

Reissue Patent Practice

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-1509-a7ebfcc7f892679956886ae9]
Practice and Procedure for Design Reissue Applications
Note:
Describes the practice and procedure for filing and processing design reissue applications.

See MPEP Chapter 1400 for practice and procedure in reissue applications. See also MPEP § 1457 regarding design reissue applications.

Jump to MPEP SourceReissue Patent PracticeDesign Patent Practice

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Reissue Fees37 CFR § 1.16(e)
Design Term and Reissue
Drawing Amendments in Reissue
37 CFR § 1.173(b)(3)
Reissue Fees37 CFR § 1.18(a)
Reissue Patent PracticeMPEP § 1457

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31