Patent Drawing and its Importance

Patent drawing forms a significant section in a patent application. It can help to define the invention in a structured manner. It also forms an important part of the specifications to be provided in the patent application, whether it is provisional or complete specifications. The Controller might direct the applicant to submit the drawings.

Patent drawing is expected to provide sufficient information about the invention in a proper manner. The Patent office follows the predefined rules for acceptance of patent drawings described in terms of the type of paper, scale, numbering, and other related provisions. This article provides the details of the provision in regards to Patent drawing.

Rule 15 of the Patents Rules, 2003:

Patent drawings shall be prepared in accordance with the provisions of rule 15, which provides:

• The drawings shall be prepared in a manner to partner the specifications of the invention to which they relate
• The drawings/sketch that would require a separate illustration, must not form part of the specification.
• The drawing shall be presented in a neat and clear manner on a durable paper sheet. At least one copy of such drawing shall be provided by the applicant.
• The sheet on which the drawing is presented must be a standard A4 size sheet. There must be a clear margin of 4 cm (at least) on the top and left hand; and 3cm at the bottom and right hand.
• The drawings should be large enough to show the inventions clearly. 
• Dimensions should not be marked in the patent drawing.
• It shall be numbered systematically and must provide:
• The top left corner must include the name of the applicant;
• number of items each sheet puts consecutively, in the top right-hand corner; and
• The bottom right corner must include the signature of the applicant or his agent.
• The drawings shall not contain any descriptive matter except in the form of flow diagrams.

Importance of Patent drawing:

Patent drawing is an essential part of a patent application and the following points explain its importance:

• Through drawing the applicant can easily explain his invention.
• The description can be made more clear and precise, easily understandable by the reader.
• It enhances the quality of the patent applications
• In case of infringement, the simple, clear, and precise images of the drawings can assist the applicant in clarifying his claim. 
• It can also aid the patent holder in getting damages or certain compensation for settlement
• The properly designed drawings can prevent the infringers from copying the invention.

The details of each patent drawing prepared in accordance with Rule 15, must be provided in the specification. If the applicant wants to adopt the drawings which were filed with the provisional specification, as a part of the drawings for the complete specification, he can do so by referring to the same in the complete specification.