Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to top questions about Patentability Search, novelty evaluation, and the patent filing process.
Why do I need professional drawings for my patent? ▼
Patent authorities have technical requirements about line thickness, shadings, and margins. Poor quality drawings are among the most frequent causes for delaying or rejecting a patent application.
Can I use 3D CAD models instead of 2D drawings? ▼
Despite designing your models in 3D, patent offices still require 2D line art. 3D models should be rendered to standard views (Perspective, Front, Top and others) with correct line weight in order to be submitted.
Can I just use my own photos of the product? ▼
The Indian patent office allows professional 3D photographs, if they are clear. But most of the patent offices require black-and-white line art. Photographs are not accepted unless there is no other option but to use them (microscopic structures, textile textures and other).
What are "Broken Lines" (dashed lines) used for? ▼
In patent drawings, dash lines or broken lines are used to denote parts of an object which do not belong to the invention.
How many views do I need to provide? ▼
For a Design Patent, there must be at least 4-7 views: front, rear, right side, left side, top, bottom, and perspective view. For Utility Patents, just enough views to sufficiently describe how the invention operates are necessary.
Do I need to include dimensions or measurements? ▼
The drawings of a patent cannot be blueprints and/or engineering plans; they should be "representative" drawings. Don't include the measurements of a specific ratio unless such a ratio is critical for the operation of the invention.
Can I use color in my patent drawings? ▼
The color is allowed but generally discouraged as it would require filing a special request along with paying additional fees and will put a limitation of colour to your patent protection. It is more advisable to use hatchings and/or shadings to show different colors in black and white.
What happens if the examiner says my drawings are "informal"? ▼
This means that your drawings do not satisfy the technical requirements for the format (for example, lines are too blurry or the margins are incorrect). You must file "formal" corrected drawings within a certain period of time.
Can I add new drawings later if I forget a detail? ▼
This is extremely risky. You cannot normally include "new matter" after the filing date. If an element was not included in the original drawings or written description, you may not be able to include this element later on without losing your filing date.
Do I need drawings for a software or process patent? ▼
Yes. Although you are not drawing a physical thing, you need to supply flow charts or logic diagrams of how the software or process works.