Are Drawings Needed for all Patents?

Almost all patent applications require drawings to be part of the filed documents. The only possible exception are inventions relating to compositions of matter or processes, but even in these rare cases a drawing may be considered useful enough to be part of the patent application.

Drawings must follow a specific format in order to be considered valid. The drawings themselves must clearly show every feature outlined in the claims section of the patent application. Also, specific details involving the paper that the drawings are made on must be followed, including the type of paper used, the size of the paper sheet, and the margin rulings. The only form of identification allowed on the drawings are those specifically listed in the patent application. No outside names or other forms of identification can be found near the drawings, except certain standard titles used to identify each sheet of the drawings.

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The content of this article is not intended to be, and does not constitute, legal advice and does not create attorney-client privilege. Consult the attorney of your choice before embarking on any legal matter or any document preparation/filing.

Dr. Thomas R. (Terry) Williamson III is a Patent Attorney practicing in Atlanta, Georgia.

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