How are drawings handled during patent application allowance?

Handling drawings during patent application allowance is an important part of the process. The MPEP 1302.05 provides specific guidance: “Where formal drawings are required and the Office has approved informal drawings, the examiner should ensure that the drawings are labeled “INFORMAL” in red ink on the drawings. One set of drawings should be used as…

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What are the consequences of submitting informal drawings in an international patent application?

What are the consequences of submitting informal drawings in an international patent application? Submitting informal drawings in an international patent application can have significant consequences. According to MPEP 1825: “If the drawings in the international application do not comply with PCT Rule 11, the International Searching Authority may invite the applicant to correct the defects……

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How does the USPTO handle informal drawings in patent applications?

The USPTO handles informal drawings in patent applications as follows: If the drawings are informal but otherwise sufficient for examination, the USPTO will accept them provisionally. The drawings will be approved by the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP) for publication purposes. Formal drawings will be required if the application is allowed. According to MPEP…

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How does OPAP handle applications with informal drawings?

When an application is filed with informal drawings, the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP) will review the drawings to determine if they can be used for publication purposes. If the drawings are not acceptable for publication purposes, OPAP will object to the drawings and require corrected drawings within a set time period, usually two…

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How should examiners handle informal drawings in patent applications?

Examiners should handle informal drawings in patent applications as follows: Determine if the drawings are sufficient for examination purposes If sufficient, proceed with examination but note the need for formal drawings If insufficient, object to the drawings and explain why formal drawings are required According to MPEP 608.02(e): ‘The acceptance of and retention of informal…

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How should patent examiners handle objections to drawings?

Patent examiners should handle objections to drawings as follows: If the examiner makes objections to the drawings, they should require correction in reply to the Office action. The examiner should not permit the objection to be held in abeyance. If drawings are marked as ‘informal’ but considered acceptable by OPAP, the examiner should not require…

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What happens if drawings submitted in a patent application are marked as ‘informal’?

If drawings submitted in a patent application are marked as ‘informal’ but are considered acceptable by the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP), the examiner will not require replacement of the drawings. As stated in the MPEP: If the drawings submitted in an application have been indicated by the applicant as “informal,” but the drawings…

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