37 CFR § 1.437 — The drawings. (MPEP Coverage Index) – BlueIron IP

This page consolidates MPEP guidance interpreting 37 CFR § 1.437, including 44 rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Summary

The drawings section provides critical visual representation of an invention's technical details in international patent applications.

What this section covers

Mandatory requirement for drawings when they are essential to comprehend the invention's technical aspects.
Conditions defining when drawings become an integral part of an international patent application.

Key obligations

Submit drawings that are crucial for understanding the technical details of the invention.
Create clear, precise visual representations that complement the written description.

Conditions and exceptions

Not all inventions require drawings, but they must be included if they aid in comprehension.

Practice notes

Carefully evaluate the necessity and quality of drawings to effectively communicate the invention's technical features.
Ensure drawings meet international filing standards and provide clear visual explanation of the invention.

Drawings Must Be Necessary for Understanding InventionMPEP 1825Required
PCT Drawings Must Adhere to Physical StandardsMPEP 1825Required
Drawings Must Be Included When Necessary for Understanding InventionMPEP 1825Required
Flow Sheets and Diagrams Are Considered DrawingsMPEP 1825
Drawings Must Be Executed With Drafting InstrumentMPEP 1825Required
Color Drawings Not AcceptableMPEP 1825
Detailed Physical Requirements for DrawingsMPEP 1825
New Drawings Not Required During National Phase If International Drawings Comply With PCT Rule 11MPEP 1825Prohibited
Examiner May Require New Drawings If International Phase Drawings Do Not Comply With PCT Rule 11MPEP 1825Permitted
File Reference Must Be Indicated on Each Drawing SheetMPEP 1825Permitted
Figures Must Be Grouped Together Without Waste of SpaceMPEP 1825Required
Drawings May Be Placed Sideways If Upright Presentation Is UnsatisfactoryMPEP 1825Prohibited
A4 Sheet Usable Surface Must Not Exceed 26.2 cm x 17.0 cmMPEP 1825Prohibited
Usable Surface Must Not Contain FramesMPEP 1825Prohibited
Drawings Must Have Specific MarginsMPEP 1825Required
Figures Must Be Numbered ConsecutivelyMPEP 1825Required
Figures Must Be Numbered ConsecutivelyMPEP 1825Recommended
Photographs Not Allowed Except for Crystalline StructuresMPEP 1825
Photographs May Be Used for Undrawable FeaturesMPEP 1825
Photographs Must Be Black and White on A4 Size SheetsMPEP 1825Required
Color photographs are not accepted for drawings.MPEP 1825

Drawings Must Be Necessary for Understanding InventionMPEP 1825Required
PCT Drawings Must Adhere to Physical StandardsMPEP 1825Required
Drawings Must Be Included When Necessary for Understanding InventionMPEP 1825Required
Drawings Must Be On Separate SheetsMPEP 1825Required
Drawings Must Be Executed With Drafting InstrumentMPEP 1825Required
Figures Must Be Grouped Together Without Waste of SpaceMPEP 1825Required
Drawings Must Have Specific MarginsMPEP 1825Required
Drawings Must Be Numbered CentrallyMPEP 1825Required
Drawings Must Be Numbered With Sheet CountMPEP 1825Required
Figures Must Be Numbered ConsecutivelyMPEP 1825Required
Sheets Added Must Be Consecutively NumberedMPEP 1825Required
Photographs Must Be Black and White on A4 Size SheetsMPEP 1825Required

Facsimile Transmission for Certain Papers in International ApplicationsMPEP 1805Prohibited
Facsimile Transmission Allowed for DemandMPEP 1805Permitted
Drawings Not Included in Description, Claims, AbstractMPEP 1825Prohibited
Drawings Must Contain Minimal TextMPEP 1825Prohibited
Drawings May Contain Foreign TextMPEP 1825
Text Not In Accepted Language Denies Filing DateMPEP 1825
Separate Series of Page Numbers for Drawings RequiredMPEP 1825
Drawings Must Be Numbered With Sheet CountMPEP 1825
Drawings Must Be Consecutively NumberedMPEP 1825
Procedure for Correcting Obvious Mistakes in DrawingsMPEP 1825
Omission of Drawings Sheet Requires New Filing Date Except for PCT Applications Filed After April 1, 2007MPEP 1825Prohibited
Omission of Drawings Sheet Requires New Filing DateMPEP 1825
Obvious Mistakes Not Considered AmendmentsMPEP 1825
Drawings Can Be Amended During International Phase Only If Requesting Preliminary ExaminationMPEP 1825Permitted
Drawings Can Be Amended During National PhaseMPEP 1825Permitted
Amendment Shall Not Exceed International Application DisclosureMPEP 1825Prohibited
Drawings Can Be Amended During International Phase If Demand FiledMPEP 1825
Drawings Requirement for International ApplicationsMPEP 1825Recommended
Drawings Must Be Included If ReferencedMPEP 1825

MPEP Section	Rules
MPEP § 1805	Facsimile Transmission for Certain Papers in International ApplicationsMPEP 1805Prohibited Facsimile Transmission Allowed for DemandMPEP 1805Permitted
MPEP § 1825	Drawings Must Be Necessary for Understanding InventionMPEP 1825Required PCT Drawings Must Adhere to Physical StandardsMPEP 1825Required Drawings Must Be Included When Necessary for Understanding InventionMPEP 1825Required Flow Sheets and Diagrams Are Considered DrawingsMPEP 1825 Drawings Must Be On Separate SheetsMPEP 1825Required Drawings Not Included in Description, Claims, AbstractMPEP 1825Prohibited Drawings Must Contain Minimal TextMPEP 1825Prohibited Drawings May Contain Foreign TextMPEP 1825 Text Not In Accepted Language Denies Filing DateMPEP 1825 Drawings Must Be Executed With Drafting InstrumentMPEP 1825Required Color Drawings Not AcceptableMPEP 1825 Detailed Physical Requirements for DrawingsMPEP 1825 New Drawings Not Required During National Phase If International Drawings Comply With PCT Rule 11MPEP 1825Prohibited Examiner May Require New Drawings If International Phase Drawings Do Not Comply With PCT Rule 11MPEP 1825Permitted File Reference Must Be Indicated on Each Drawing SheetMPEP 1825Permitted Figures Must Be Grouped Together Without Waste of SpaceMPEP 1825Required Drawings May Be Placed Sideways If Upright Presentation Is UnsatisfactoryMPEP 1825Prohibited A4 Sheet Usable Surface Must Not Exceed 26.2 cm x 17.0 cmMPEP 1825Prohibited Usable Surface Must Not Contain FramesMPEP 1825Prohibited Drawings Must Have Specific MarginsMPEP 1825Required Drawings Must Be Numbered CentrallyMPEP 1825Required Separate Series of Page Numbers for Drawings RequiredMPEP 1825 Drawings Must Be Numbered With Sheet CountMPEP 1825Required Drawings Must Be Numbered With Sheet CountMPEP 1825 Figures Must Be Numbered ConsecutivelyMPEP 1825Required Figures Must Be Numbered ConsecutivelyMPEP 1825Recommended Sheets Added Must Be Consecutively NumberedMPEP 1825Required Drawings Must Be Consecutively NumberedMPEP 1825 Photographs Not Allowed Except for Crystalline StructuresMPEP 1825 Photographs May Be Used for Undrawable FeaturesMPEP 1825 Photographs Must Be Black and White on A4 Size SheetsMPEP 1825Required Color photographs are not accepted for drawings.MPEP 1825 Procedure for Correcting Obvious Mistakes in DrawingsMPEP 1825 Omission of Drawings Sheet Requires New Filing Date Except for PCT Applications Filed After April 1, 2007MPEP 1825Prohibited Omission of Drawings Sheet Requires New Filing DateMPEP 1825 Obvious Mistakes Not Considered AmendmentsMPEP 1825 Drawings Can Be Amended During International Phase Only If Requesting Preliminary ExaminationMPEP 1825Permitted Drawings Can Be Amended During National PhaseMPEP 1825Permitted Amendment Shall Not Exceed International Application DisclosureMPEP 1825Prohibited Drawings Can Be Amended During International Phase If Demand FiledMPEP 1825 Drawings Requirement for International ApplicationsMPEP 1825Recommended Drawings Must Be Included If ReferencedMPEP 1825

MPEP Section

Rules

MPEP § 1805