How should drawing amendments be submitted in a patent application?
Drawing amendments in patent applications must be submitted according to the following guidelines:
- Amendments must comply with 37 CFR 1.84
- Changes must be submitted on a replacement sheet of drawings
- New drawings must be submitted on a new sheet of drawings
- Sheets must be identified in the top margin as ‘Replacement Sheet’ or ‘New Sheet’
- Replacement sheets must include all figures from the previous version, even if only one figure is amended
The MPEP states: Any changes to an application drawing must comply with 37 CFR 1.84 and must be submitted on a replacement sheet of drawings, even when applicant is only submitting better quality drawings without any substantive changes.
Additional requirements:
- Amended figures must not be labeled as ‘amended’
- A marked-up copy of amended drawings may be included, labeled as ‘Annotated Sheet’
- An explanation of changes must be presented in the ‘Amendments to the Drawings’ or remarks section
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