How have drawing requirements changed for patent applications filed on or after December 18, 2013?

For non-design patent applications filed on or after December 18, 2013, the drawing requirements have been relaxed. The MPEP states: Applications, which are not design applications, filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) or (b) on or after December 18, 2013 are entitled to a filing date even if the application does not contain drawings. However, it’s important to note that while drawings are not required for a filing date, they should still be submitted if necessary for understanding the invention, as no amendment may introduce new matter into the disclosure of an application after its filing date.

To learn more:

• patent drawings
• filing date
• USPTO requirements
• new matter