Important Guidelines for Utility Patent Drawings
If you are applying for a utility patent, you need to provide the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with a drawing, or drawings, of your invention or innovation. Failing to provide sufficient drawings, or providing incorrect drawings, can be a death knell for your utility patent application. Why? Because there are typically no do-overs when it comes to patent drawings. The USPTO does not allow patent applications to add new matter once filed. As a result, it is nearly impossible to fix defective drawings since any corrections would inherently add new matter.
Hence, it is imperative to invest time and care into the drawing and ensure it is done properly, whether by you or a professional third party.
Guidelines
Below is a list of the primary formatting rules for patent drawings, according to the USPTO.
- The drawings should be in black and white as colored drawings are generally not allowed.
- Photographs are only allowed in case there is no other realistic way of conveying the details of the invention.
- Formulas and tables are allowable forms of drawings.
- The drawings should have multiple views to explain the invention accurately.
- The size of the patent drawing should allow viewing of the details discussed in the patent application with the understanding the drawing may be reduced in size during publication.
- Shading the drawings is encouraged if it will help depict the invention.
- Reference characters should point to the detail of the drawing it refers to. While both numbers and the English letters are allowable reference characters, numbers are preferred.
- The paper should be white, pliable, muted in appearance (not shiny), and robust.
- The drawing must fit on either 21.0 cm by 29.7 cm or 27.9 cm by 21.6 cm paper with a 2.5 cm top and left margin, 1.5 cm right margin, and a 1 cm bottom margin.
- The drawing may only be on one side of the paper.
Hiring a Professional
Generally, budget allowing, you should consider hiring a professional who understands the USPTO requirements and is adept at drafting mechanical drawings. Why? It will ensure the highest-quality drawing possible. Moreover, professionals understand the USPTO requirements.
Self-Generated Drawings
If you lack the financial resources to hire a professional drafter, it may be useful for you, the inventor, to attempt to draw the invention. In fact, you may be best suited to manage the drawing since you probably have a better understanding of the features of the invention.
Utilizing Computer Software
If you are terrified at the prospect of sitting down at a table and trying to create a respectable drawing for your utility patent, consider using a computer-aided design software . This type of software comes in handy when you are not a great artist, or you need to create shapes and 3D images to properly illustrate the innovation or invention.
Have Questions? Contact an Experienced and Reputable Patent Attorney in Los Angeles Today
If you have an invention and want to obtain a patent, retaining the services of a reputable and highly experienced patent attorney, such as the professionals at Omni Legal Group, is imperative for a successful outcome. Whether you are in need of, or have, a provisional patent, non-provisional patent, design patent, utility patent, or plant patent application, Omni Legal Group is here to help. Omni Legal Group is a premier Patent, Trademark, and Copyright law firm located in Los Angeles. For further information or to schedule a consultation please contact Omni Legal Group at 855.433.2226 or visit www.OmniLegalGroup.com to learn more.