Can superfluous matter be removed from patent drawings without applicant’s annotated sheets?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance 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.

Yes, removing superfluous matter from patent drawings is one of the changes that can be made without requiring annotated sheets from the applicant. MPEP 608.02(w) states:

As a guide to the examiner, the following corrections are illustrative of those that may be suggested without requiring annotated sheets from the applicant: … (C) Removing superfluous matter.

This provision allows examiners to suggest the removal of unnecessary elements from the drawings, helping to improve clarity and focus on the essential aspects of the invention without requiring a formal submission of annotated sheets by the applicant.