What are the requirements for describing drawings in a patent application?
Describing drawings in a patent application is an important aspect of the description section. The MPEP 1823 provides guidance on this matter:
“The nature and number of drawings shall be determined by the nature of the subject matter to be depicted.”
Key requirements for describing drawings include:
- Brief Description: Provide a brief description of each drawing figure.
- Detailed Description: In the main body of the description, explain the drawings in detail, referencing specific parts or features.
- Numbering: Ensure all parts or features mentioned are numbered consistently across all drawings.
- Clarity: Descriptions should be clear enough to understand the invention without actually seeing the drawings.
- Correlation: Clearly correlate the description with the claims and the drawings.
Remember, while drawings can be an essential part of understanding the invention, the textual description should be comprehensive enough to stand on its own.
To learn more: