What are the formatting requirements for claims in a patent application?

The formatting requirements for claims in a patent application are specified in 37 CFR 1.75(h) and (i). Key requirements include:

• Claims must commence on a separate physical sheet or electronic page.
• Any sheet including a claim or portion of a claim may not contain any other parts of the application or other material.
• Where a claim sets forth multiple elements or steps, each element or step should be separated by a line indentation.

The MPEP states: “The claim or claims must commence on a separate physical sheet or electronic page. Any sheet including a claim or portion of a claim may not contain any other parts of the application or other material.” and “Where a claim sets forth a plurality of elements or steps, each element or step of the claim should be separated by a line indentation.”

These formatting requirements enhance readability and clarity of the claims. For more detailed information on claim formatting, refer to MPEP § 608.01(m).

To learn more:

• claim formatting
• patent application
• claim drafting
• line indentation