How should broken lines be described in a design patent specification?
Broken lines in design patent drawings require a specific description in the specification. According to MPEP 1503.01:
“Where broken lines are used, they should be defined in the specification as forming no part of the claimed design or as showing the environment in which the article embodying the design is used.”
Key points for describing broken lines:
- The description should clearly state the purpose of the broken lines.
- It should be placed at the end of the specification, after the figure descriptions.
- The statement should be consistent with how the broken lines are used in the drawings.
Example statement: “The broken lines shown in the drawings represent portions of the chair that form no part of the claimed design.”
Or: “The broken lines depict environmental structure and form no part of the claimed design.”
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