This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
Examiners are required to provide clear and explicit reasons for not approving drawing corrections in their next communication to the applicant. The MPEP 608.02(x) instructs:
“The examiner should explicitly and clearly set forth all the reasons for not approving the corrections to the drawings in the next communication to the applicant.”
This ensures that applicants understand exactly why their drawing corrections were not accepted and what they need to do to address the issues. The MPEP also refers examiners to MPEP § 608.02(p) for suggested form paragraphs to use when notifying applicants of drawing correction issues.