In the past, patent drawings were mostly found in design patent applications. Over the last two decades, illustrations have become essential elements of all types of patent applications \u2013 both design and utility. If inventors want patent examiners to quickly understand their inventions and increase the likelihood of their patents being granted, they must provide the best possible patent drawings in their applications.<\/p>\n
There are very few situations where it\u2019s feasible for a patentable invention to be properly explained in writing alone. That\u2019s why regulatory agencies such as the USPTO (U.S. Patent & Trademark Office), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), or the European Patent Office (EPO) don\u2019t force applicants to provide illustrations\/drawings when filing applications.<\/p>\n
But, the likelihood that an examiner will understand an invention with illustrations and drawings is much higher. So, producing and submitting drawings appropriate for utility\/design patent applications is the safest option for applicants who seek quick and hassle-free approval processes. However, creating suitable illustrations\/drawings isn\u2019t easy for patent applicants. They have to address several hyper-technical requirements.<\/p>\n
A patent drawing or illustration covers numerous items. For most people, a patent illustration is a drawing of the item that\u2019s set to be patented. But, technical diagrams, flowcharts, sectional\/cross-sectional views of the item, etc., – these items qualify as illustrations in the eyes of patent examiners.<\/p>\n
Be it a basic two-dimensional visual depiction of the invention that you aspire to patent or a complicated blueprint displaying complex crystalline chemical structures \u2013 both are deemed as illustrations by patent examiners. As long as your \u201cillustrations\u201d (technical diagrams, flowcharts, etc.) explain your innovation, you can use any type of drawing.<\/p>\n
However, the rules for patent drawings and illustrations are quite hard to follow. That\u2019s why not including any drawings is the choice that many patent applicants make. By doing so, they severely decrease their chances of getting approval from patent\u00a0<\/strong>regulatory agencies.<\/p>\n Ideally, no patent applicant should be thinking of creating flawless patent drawings or illustrations, as long as it demonstrates what they\u2019ve invented. But, that isn\u2019t the case for modern-day patent applicants. They have to meet several hyper-technical requirements such as \u2013<\/p>\n Be it showing various views of the invention (right, top, bottom, etc.) or breaking down the invention using multiple drawings \u2013 creating patent illustrations is always a tough balancing act for inventors. As long as their drawings don\u2019t follow all hyper-technical requirements of patent offices while presenting every feature of the inventions specified in the claims, the risk of rejection will always loom large.<\/p>\nHyper-Technical Requirements for Creating Acceptable Patent Illustrations<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
The Need for Professional Assistance<\/strong><\/h2>\n