What happens if a drawing is not acceptable for publication?

If a drawing is not acceptable for publication, the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP) will object to the drawing and notify the applicant. The applicant will be given a time period of two months from the mail date of the Notice to file acceptable drawings. This period is extendable under 37 CFR 1.136(a) or (b) for patent applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111, but not for design applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 171. Failure to comply with the Notice within the time period will result in abandonment of the application.

Topics: MPEP 500 - Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers, MPEP 507 - Drawing Review in the Office of Patent Application Processing, Patent Law, Patent Procedure
Tags: drawing review, OPAP objections, patent abandonment, publication requirements, time periods