How are broken lines or coloring used in international design application drawings?

Broken lines and coloring in international design application drawings are used to indicate portions of the design for which protection is not sought. As stated in MPEP 2920.04(a):

“Administrative Instruction 403 permits matter shown in a reproduction for which protection is not sought to be indicated in the description and/or by means of broken or dotted lines or coloring.”

To properly use broken lines or coloring:

• Include a statement in the specification explaining the meaning of the broken lines or coloring
• Use broken lines to indicate environmental structure or boundaries that form no part of the design
• Use coloring to indicate portions of the design for which protection is not sought

Applicants are strongly encouraged to use these methods to clearly define the scope of their design claim.

To learn more:

• design application drawings
• broken lines
• coloring
• international design application
• MPEP 2920.04(a)