MPEP § 2250.01 — Correction of Patent Drawings (Annotated Rules)

§2250.01 Correction of Patent Drawings

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2250.01, 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.

Correction of Patent Drawings

This section addresses Correction of Patent Drawings. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 257, 37 CFR 1.510(b)(4), and 37 CFR 1.530. Contains: 4 requirements, 3 guidance statements, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Drawing Amendments in Reissue

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2250-01-ff6be8a1e8079d670c10e68d]
Amended and New Figures Must Be Identified
Note:
Any amended figure must be marked as ‘Amended’ and any added figure must be marked as ‘New’.

37 CFR 1.530(d)(3) sets forth the manner of making amendments to the drawings. Amendments to the original patent drawing sheets are not permitted, and any change to the patent drawings must be in the form of a new sheet of drawings for each drawing sheet that is changed. Any amended figure(s) must be identified as “Amended” and any added figure(s) must be identified as “New.” In the event a figure is canceled, the figure must be surrounded by brackets and identified as “Canceled.”

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3)Drawing Amendments in ReissueResponses and AmendmentsReissue and Reexamination
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2250-01-d589825f1dd09b08b713b5ca]
Figure Cancellation Identification Requirement
Note:
Any canceled figure must be surrounded by brackets and identified as 'Canceled' in patent drawings.

37 CFR 1.530(d)(3) sets forth the manner of making amendments to the drawings. Amendments to the original patent drawing sheets are not permitted, and any change to the patent drawings must be in the form of a new sheet of drawings for each drawing sheet that is changed. Any amended figure(s) must be identified as “Amended” and any added figure(s) must be identified as “New.” In the event a figure is canceled, the figure must be surrounded by brackets and identified as “Canceled.”

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3)Drawing Amendments in ReissueReissue Amendment FormatAmendments in Reissue
Topic

New Claims in Reexamination

2 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2250-01-58f81aafec72896d75d360b5]
Sketch Required for Drawing Amendment Approval
Note:
Patent owner must submit a permanent ink sketch showing proposed changes for examiner approval before submitting amended drawings.

Where the patent owner wishes to change/amend the drawings, the patent owner should submit a sketch in permanent ink showing proposed change(s)/amendment(s), for approval by the examiner. The submitted sketch should be presented as a separate paper, which is clearly labeled as “Annotated Sheet,” and it will be made part of the record. Once the proposed changes are approved, sheets of substitute or new drawings must be submitted for each drawing sheet that is to be changed/amended. If a new drawing sheet contains multiple figures, each figure must be marked as “amended” or “new,” if applicable, to comply with the requirements of 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3). For example, if the new drawing sheet contains Figures 1-3 but only Figure 2 is amended, the new drawing sheet must identify Figure 2 as “Amended.” It is not sufficient to generally indicate that the entire sheet is amended by, e.g., placing the term “Amended” in the header of the drawing sheet.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3)New Claims in ReexaminationResponses and AmendmentsAmendments in Reexamination
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2250-01-a2322dbc6e3fd7f07cdc07bc]
Submit Amended or New Drawings After Approval
Note:
Once changes to drawings are approved, submit amended or new drawing sheets for each modified sheet.

Where the patent owner wishes to change/amend the drawings, the patent owner should submit a sketch in permanent ink showing proposed change(s)/amendment(s), for approval by the examiner. The submitted sketch should be presented as a separate paper, which is clearly labeled as “Annotated Sheet,” and it will be made part of the record. Once the proposed changes are approved, sheets of substitute or new drawings must be submitted for each drawing sheet that is to be changed/amended. If a new drawing sheet contains multiple figures, each figure must be marked as “amended” or “new,” if applicable, to comply with the requirements of 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3). For example, if the new drawing sheet contains Figures 1-3 but only Figure 2 is amended, the new drawing sheet must identify Figure 2 as “Amended.” It is not sufficient to generally indicate that the entire sheet is amended by, e.g., placing the term “Amended” in the header of the drawing sheet.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3)New Claims in ReexaminationEx Parte ReexaminationInter Partes Reexamination
Topic

Ex Parte Reexamination

2 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2250-01-29a1ec6d05430712fa6adec5]
Annotated Sheet Must Be Submitted for Proposed Changes
Note:
The patent owner must submit a clearly labeled 'Annotated Sheet' showing proposed changes to drawings, which will be part of the record.

Where the patent owner wishes to change/amend the drawings, the patent owner should submit a sketch in permanent ink showing proposed change(s)/amendment(s), for approval by the examiner. The submitted sketch should be presented as a separate paper, which is clearly labeled as “Annotated Sheet,” and it will be made part of the record. Once the proposed changes are approved, sheets of substitute or new drawings must be submitted for each drawing sheet that is to be changed/amended. If a new drawing sheet contains multiple figures, each figure must be marked as “amended” or “new,” if applicable, to comply with the requirements of 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3). For example, if the new drawing sheet contains Figures 1-3 but only Figure 2 is amended, the new drawing sheet must identify Figure 2 as “Amended.” It is not sufficient to generally indicate that the entire sheet is amended by, e.g., placing the term “Amended” in the header of the drawing sheet.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3)Ex Parte ReexaminationInter Partes ReexaminationNew Claims in Reexamination
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2250-01-5f16485d979620f3eefe0dbd]
Amended Figure Must Be Clearly Marked
Note:
Each amended figure on a new drawing sheet must be specifically marked as 'Amended' rather than just labeling the entire sheet as 'Amended'.

Where the patent owner wishes to change/amend the drawings, the patent owner should submit a sketch in permanent ink showing proposed change(s)/amendment(s), for approval by the examiner. The submitted sketch should be presented as a separate paper, which is clearly labeled as “Annotated Sheet,” and it will be made part of the record. Once the proposed changes are approved, sheets of substitute or new drawings must be submitted for each drawing sheet that is to be changed/amended. If a new drawing sheet contains multiple figures, each figure must be marked as “amended” or “new,” if applicable, to comply with the requirements of 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3). For example, if the new drawing sheet contains Figures 1-3 but only Figure 2 is amended, the new drawing sheet must identify Figure 2 as “Amended.” It is not sufficient to generally indicate that the entire sheet is amended by, e.g., placing the term “Amended” in the header of the drawing sheet.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3)Ex Parte ReexaminationInter Partes ReexaminationNew Claims in Reexamination
Topic

Ex Parte Quayle Action

2 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2250-01-3cce85a8986403f209080748]
Ex Parte Quayle Office Action Required for Drawing Corrections
Note:
Prepare an ex parte Quayle Office action to set a shortened statutory time period for filing new drawings after approved corrections have been approved but not yet filed.

The new sheets of drawings must be entered into the record in the reexamination file prior to the preparation of a Notice of Intent to Issue Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate (NIRC). If a proposed drawing correction has been approved but the new sheets of drawings have not been filed, and the proceeding is otherwise in condition for termination of the prosecution by means of a NIRC, an ex parte Quayle Office action should be prepared – setting an appropriate shortened statutory time period (SSP) for the filing of the new sheets of drawing. If the reexamination was requested by a third party requester, the examiner should set an SSP of ONE MONTH or thirty days, whichever is longer. If the reexamination was requested by the patent owner, if the reexamination was ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, or if it is a Director ordered reexamination, the examiner should set an SSP of TWO MONTHS. If the new sheets of drawings are not timely filed in response to the Quayle action, the reexamination certificate will be issued with drawings that do not reflect the changes/amendments that were proposed by the patent owner.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530Ex Parte Quayle ActionReply Period and ExtensionsNew Claims in Reexamination
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2250-01-dcb735a7204a7edce927a67d]
New Drawings Required Before Certificate Issuance
Note:
If new drawings are not timely filed in response to an ex parte Quayle action, the reexamination certificate will include drawings that do not reflect the patent owner's proposed changes.

The new sheets of drawings must be entered into the record in the reexamination file prior to the preparation of a Notice of Intent to Issue Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate (NIRC). If a proposed drawing correction has been approved but the new sheets of drawings have not been filed, and the proceeding is otherwise in condition for termination of the prosecution by means of a NIRC, an ex parte Quayle Office action should be prepared – setting an appropriate shortened statutory time period (SSP) for the filing of the new sheets of drawing. If the reexamination was requested by a third party requester, the examiner should set an SSP of ONE MONTH or thirty days, whichever is longer. If the reexamination was requested by the patent owner, if the reexamination was ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, or if it is a Director ordered reexamination, the examiner should set an SSP of TWO MONTHS. If the new sheets of drawings are not timely filed in response to the Quayle action, the reexamination certificate will be issued with drawings that do not reflect the changes/amendments that were proposed by the patent owner.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530Ex Parte Quayle ActionNew Claims in ReexaminationReexamination Certificate
Topic

Reissue and Reexamination

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2250-01-3ebd5c162675c79d1b66b5d4]
Drawings Must Remain Unchanged During Reexamination
Note:
The patent drawings submitted for reexamination must remain unchanged; any modifications require submission of new sheets.

In the reexamination proceeding, the copy of the patent drawings submitted pursuant to 37 CFR 1.510(b)(4) will be used for reexamination purposes, provided no change whatsoever is made to the drawings. If there is to be ANY change in the drawings, a new sheet of drawings for each sheet changed must be submitted. The change may NOT be made on the original patent drawings.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.510(b)(4)Reissue and ReexaminationEx Parte Reexamination RequestConcurrent Reissue Proceedings
Topic

Request by Patent Owner

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2250-01-31863e0ea6b75bd73ae462c2]
New Sheet for Each Changed Drawing
Note:
A new sheet of drawings must be submitted for each changed drawing in a patent reexamination.

In the reexamination proceeding, the copy of the patent drawings submitted pursuant to 37 CFR 1.510(b)(4) will be used for reexamination purposes, provided no change whatsoever is made to the drawings. If there is to be ANY change in the drawings, a new sheet of drawings for each sheet changed must be submitted. The change may NOT be made on the original patent drawings.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.510(b)(4)Request by Patent OwnerRequest Content RequirementsResponses and Amendments
Topic

Reissue Patent Practice

1 rules
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-2250-01-4aac746ef1a0bfafdf933804]
No Changes to Original Patent Drawings
Note:
Patent owner must submit new drawings for any changes; no alterations may be made to the original patent drawings.

In the reexamination proceeding, the copy of the patent drawings submitted pursuant to 37 CFR 1.510(b)(4) will be used for reexamination purposes, provided no change whatsoever is made to the drawings. If there is to be ANY change in the drawings, a new sheet of drawings for each sheet changed must be submitted. The change may NOT be made on the original patent drawings.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.510(b)(4)Reissue Patent PracticeRequest by Patent OwnerRequest Content Requirements
Topic

Patent Owner Statement

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2250-01-78787f096ef2e6a8c4ae1e81]
Amendments to Patent Drawings Must Be on New Sheets
Note:
Patent drawings can only be amended by submitting new sheets for each changed drawing, with 'Amended' and 'New' labels as necessary.

37 CFR 1.530(d)(3) sets forth the manner of making amendments to the drawings. Amendments to the original patent drawing sheets are not permitted, and any change to the patent drawings must be in the form of a new sheet of drawings for each drawing sheet that is changed. Any amended figure(s) must be identified as “Amended” and any added figure(s) must be identified as “New.” In the event a figure is canceled, the figure must be surrounded by brackets and identified as “Canceled.”

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3)Patent Owner StatementEx Parte ReexaminationResponses and Amendments
Topic

Changes Relative to Patent

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2250-01-10e080829de707e1f7fa3e77]
Amendments Must Be New Sheets
Note:
Patent drawings can only be changed by submitting new sheets for each modified drawing, labeled as 'Amended' or 'New'.

37 CFR 1.530(d)(3) sets forth the manner of making amendments to the drawings. Amendments to the original patent drawing sheets are not permitted, and any change to the patent drawings must be in the form of a new sheet of drawings for each drawing sheet that is changed. Any amended figure(s) must be identified as “Amended” and any added figure(s) must be identified as “New.” In the event a figure is canceled, the figure must be surrounded by brackets and identified as “Canceled.”

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3)Changes Relative to PatentDrawing Amendments in ReissueReissue Patent Practice
Topic

Amendments in Reexamination

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2250-01-942e4da0ded56a0290a34d77]
Each Figure Must Be Marked as Amended or New on New Drawing Sheets
Note:
When submitting new drawing sheets with multiple figures, each figure that is amended must be clearly marked as 'Amended' and any new figure must be marked as 'New'.

Where the patent owner wishes to change/amend the drawings, the patent owner should submit a sketch in permanent ink showing proposed change(s)/amendment(s), for approval by the examiner. The submitted sketch should be presented as a separate paper, which is clearly labeled as “Annotated Sheet,” and it will be made part of the record. Once the proposed changes are approved, sheets of substitute or new drawings must be submitted for each drawing sheet that is to be changed/amended. If a new drawing sheet contains multiple figures, each figure must be marked as “amended” or “new,” if applicable, to comply with the requirements of 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3). For example, if the new drawing sheet contains Figures 1-3 but only Figure 2 is amended, the new drawing sheet must identify Figure 2 as “Amended.” It is not sufficient to generally indicate that the entire sheet is amended by, e.g., placing the term “Amended” in the header of the drawing sheet.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530(d)(3)Amendments in ReexaminationPatent Owner StatementEx Parte Reexamination
Topic

Entry as Matter of Right

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2250-01-57cbbcdafbb813ebb63dc266]
New Drawings Must Be Filed Before NIRC
Note:
Patent owner must file new drawings before preparing a Notice of Intent to Issue Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate.

The new sheets of drawings must be entered into the record in the reexamination file prior to the preparation of a Notice of Intent to Issue Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate (NIRC). If a proposed drawing correction has been approved but the new sheets of drawings have not been filed, and the proceeding is otherwise in condition for termination of the prosecution by means of a NIRC, an ex parte Quayle Office action should be prepared – setting an appropriate shortened statutory time period (SSP) for the filing of the new sheets of drawing. If the reexamination was requested by a third party requester, the examiner should set an SSP of ONE MONTH or thirty days, whichever is longer. If the reexamination was requested by the patent owner, if the reexamination was ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, or if it is a Director ordered reexamination, the examiner should set an SSP of TWO MONTHS. If the new sheets of drawings are not timely filed in response to the Quayle action, the reexamination certificate will be issued with drawings that do not reflect the changes/amendments that were proposed by the patent owner.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530Entry as Matter of RightNotice of Intent to Issue Reexamination Certificate (NIRC)Reexamination Certificate
Topic

Interviews in Reexamination

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2250-01-e3c82a818f72327bd7714e00]
Third Party Requester Must File New Drawings Within One Month
Note:
If a third party requests reexamination, the examiner sets an SSP of one month or thirty days for filing new drawings.

The new sheets of drawings must be entered into the record in the reexamination file prior to the preparation of a Notice of Intent to Issue Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate (NIRC). If a proposed drawing correction has been approved but the new sheets of drawings have not been filed, and the proceeding is otherwise in condition for termination of the prosecution by means of a NIRC, an ex parte Quayle Office action should be prepared – setting an appropriate shortened statutory time period (SSP) for the filing of the new sheets of drawing. If the reexamination was requested by a third party requester, the examiner should set an SSP of ONE MONTH or thirty days, whichever is longer. If the reexamination was requested by the patent owner, if the reexamination was ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, or if it is a Director ordered reexamination, the examiner should set an SSP of TWO MONTHS. If the new sheets of drawings are not timely filed in response to the Quayle action, the reexamination certificate will be issued with drawings that do not reflect the changes/amendments that were proposed by the patent owner.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530Interviews in ReexaminationResponse Time PeriodsThird Party Requester Rights
Topic

Response Time Periods

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2250-01-acc686ff209aa5948b9e2266]
Patent Owner Requested Reexamination Drawing SSP of Two Months
Note:
If the reexamination was requested by the patent owner, ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, or a Director ordered reexamination, the examiner must set an SSP of two months for filing new drawings.

The new sheets of drawings must be entered into the record in the reexamination file prior to the preparation of a Notice of Intent to Issue Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate (NIRC). If a proposed drawing correction has been approved but the new sheets of drawings have not been filed, and the proceeding is otherwise in condition for termination of the prosecution by means of a NIRC, an ex parte Quayle Office action should be prepared – setting an appropriate shortened statutory time period (SSP) for the filing of the new sheets of drawing. If the reexamination was requested by a third party requester, the examiner should set an SSP of ONE MONTH or thirty days, whichever is longer. If the reexamination was requested by the patent owner, if the reexamination was ordered under 35 U.S.C. 257, or if it is a Director ordered reexamination, the examiner should set an SSP of TWO MONTHS. If the new sheets of drawings are not timely filed in response to the Quayle action, the reexamination certificate will be issued with drawings that do not reflect the changes/amendments that were proposed by the patent owner.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.530Response Time PeriodsResponses and AmendmentsPeriod Computation Rules

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Entry as Matter of Right
Ex Parte Quayle Action
Interviews in Reexamination
Response Time Periods
35 U.S.C. § 257
Reissue Patent Practice
Reissue and Reexamination
Request by Patent Owner
37 CFR § 1.510(b)(4)
Amendments in Reexamination
Changes Relative to Patent
Drawing Amendments in Reissue
Ex Parte Reexamination
New Claims in Reexamination
Patent Owner Statement
37 CFR § 1.530(d)(3)

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