How are black and white photographs and grayscale drawings handled in patent applications?

Black and white photographs and grayscale drawings are handled uniformly across various types of patent applications and proceedings. According to MPEP 608.02(c):

Black and white photographs and grayscale drawings in: (i) provisional applications under 35 U.S.C. 111(b); (ii) nonprovisional utility and design patent applications under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), including reissue utility and design patent applications; (iii) national stage applications under 35 U.S.C. 371; (iv) international applications (PCT); (v) international design applications; (vi) reexamination proceedings for utility patents and design patents; and (vii) supplemental examination proceedings will be stored in SCORE, and a black and white copy will be stored in IFW along with a SCORE placeholder sheet.

In summary, these types of drawings are:

• Stored in SCORE (Supplemental Content Repository)
• A black and white copy is stored in IFW (Image File Wrapper)
• A SCORE placeholder sheet is included in the IFW

To learn more:

• patent drawings
• photographs
• grayscale drawings
• SCORE
• IFW
• patent applications