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# Chapter 600 Parts, Form and Content of Application 601 Petition 608.01 (b) Abstract of the Disclosure 601.01 Amendment of Petition 608.01 (c) Background of the Invention 601.02 Power of Attorney or Authorization of Agent 608.01 (d) Brief Summary of Invention 602 Original Oath or Declaration 608.01 (e) Reservation Clauses Not Permitted 602.01 Oath Cannot Be Amended 608.01 (f) Brief Description of Drawings 802.02 New Oath or Substitute for Original 608.01 (g) Detalled Description of Invention 602.03 Defective Oath or Declaration 608.01 (h) Mode of Operation of Invention 602.01 Foreign Executed Oath 608.01 (1) Claims 602.04(a) Foreign Executed Oath Is Ribboned to 608.01 (1) Numbering of Claims Other Application Papers 608.01 (k) Statutory Requirement of Claims 602.05 Oath-Date of Execution 608.01 (1) Orignal Claims 602.05(a) Oath In Division and Continuation Cases 608.01 (m) Form of Claims 603 Supplemental Oath or Declaration 608.01 (n) Dependent Claims 603.01 Filed After Allowance 608.01(0) Basis for Terminology in Description 604 Administration or Execution of Oath 608.01 (p) Completeness 604.01 Seal 608.01 (q) Substitute or Rewritten Specification 604.02 Venue 608.01 (r) Derogatory Remarks About Prior Art 604.03 Notaries and Extent of Jurisdiction 608.01 (s) Restoration of Canceled Matter 604.03 (a) Notarial Powers of Some Military Officers 008.01 (t) Use in Subsequent Application 604.04 Consul 608.01 (u) Of Formerly Filed Incomplete Application 604.04 (a) Omission of Certificate 608.01 (v) Trademarks and Trade Names 604.05 Consular Fee Stamp 608.02 Drawing 604.06 By Attorney in Case 608.02(a) New Drawing -- When Required 605 Applicant 608.02 (b) Informal Drawings 605.01 Citizenship 608.02 (c) Drawings or Print Kept in Examining Group 605.02 Residence® 608.02 (d) Complete Illustration 605.03 Post Office Address 608.02 (e) Examiner Determines 605.04 Signature and Name 608.02 (f) Modification 605.04 (a) Single Signature Form 608.02 (g) Illustration of Prior Art 605.04 (b) Full First Name Required 608.02 (h) Additional, Duplicate, or Substitute 605.04(c) Change of Name 608.02 (1) Transfer From Prior Application 605.04 (d) Unable To Write 608.02(j) Canceled Sheets to Divisional 605.04(e) May Use Title With Signature 608.02 (k) Patented, to Reissue 605.04 (f) Joint- Order of Names 608.02 (1) To Continuation or Substitute 605.04(g) When Name Is Corrected. Send to Applica- 608.02 (m) Prints tion Branch 608.02 (n) Patentability Report Cases 605.04(h) Signature to Drawing 608.02(0) Dates Entered on Drawing 605.05 Administrator, Executor or Other Legal Rep- 608.02 (p) Correction of Drawings resentative 608.02 (q) Conditions Precedent to Amendment of 605.05 (a) Signature of Legal Representative Drawing 605.06 Filing by Other Than Inventor 608.02(r) Separate Letter to Draftsman 608.02 (s) Estimating Cost of Correcting Drawings 606 Title of Invention 608.02 (t) Cancelation of Figures 606.01 Examiner May Require Change in Title 608.02 (u) Changing Name of Attorney on Drawing 607 Filing Fee Forbidden 607.01 Fee Exempt 608.02(v) Changes Which Require Sketches 607.02 Returnability of Fees 608.02 (w) Changes Which May be Made by Exam- 608 Disclosure iner's Amendment Without a Sketch 608.01 Specification 608.02 (x) Disposition of Orders for Amendment of 608.01 (a) Arrangement of Application Drawing <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22, Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> ## MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE 608.02(y) Return of Drawing 008.03 Models, Exhibits, Specimens 608.03 (a) Handling of 608.04 New Matter 608.04(a) Matter Not in Original Specification, Claims or Drawings 608.04 (b) By Preliminary Amendment 608.04 (c) Review of Examiner's Holding Rule 51. General requisites of en application. Ap- plications for patents must be made to the Commis- sioner of Patents. A complete application comprises : (a) A petition or request for a patent, see rule 61. (b) A specification, including a claim or claims (a) rules 71 to 77. (c) An oath or declaration, see rule 65. (d) Drawings, when necessary, see rules 81 to 88. (e) The prescribed filing fee. (See rule 21 for filing fees. ) ## GUIDELINES FOR DRAFTING A MODEL PATENT APPLICATION The following guidelines illustrate the pre- ferred layout and content for patent applica- tions. These guidelines are suggested for the applicant's use. Arrangement and Contents of the Specification The following order of arrangement is pref- erable in framing the specification and, except for the title of the invention, each of the lettered items should be preceded by the headings indicated. (a) Title of the Invention. (b) Abstract of the Disclosure. (c) Cross-References to Related Applica- tions (if any). (d) Background of the Invention. 1\. Field of the Invention. 2\. Description of the Prior Art. (c) Summary of the Invention. (f) Brief Description of the Drawing. (g) Description of the Preferred Embodi- ment (s). (h) Claim (s). (a) Title of the Invention: (See Rule 72(a).) The title of the invention should be placed at the top of the first page of the specifi- cation. It should be brief but technically accurato and descriptive. (b) Abstract of the Disclosure: (See Rule 72(b), and section 608.01 (b).) (c) Cross-References to Related Applica- tions: (See Rule 78 and section 201.11). (d) Background of the Invention: The specification should set forth the Background of the Invention in two parts: (1) Field of the Invention: A statement of the field of art to which the invention pertains. This statement may include a paraphrasing of the applicable U.S. patent classification definitions. The statement should be directed to the sub- ject matter of the claimed invention. (2) Description of the Prior Art: A para- graph (s) describing to the extent practi- cal the state of the prior art known to the applicant, including references to specific prior art where appropriate. Where applicable, the problems involved in the prior art, which are solved by the applicant's invention, should be indi- cated. (e) Summary: A brief summary or general statement of the invention as set forth in Rule 73. The summary is separate and distinct from the abstract and is directed toward the inven- tion rather than the disclosure as a whole. The summary may point out the advantages of the invention or how it solves problems previously existent in the prior art (and preferably indi- cated in the Background of the Invention). In chemical cases it should point out in general terms the utility of the invention. If possible, the nature and gist of the invention or the inventive concept should be set forth. Objects of the invention should be treated briefly and only to the extent that they contribute to an understanding of the invention. (f) Brief Description of the Drawing: A reference to and brief description of the draw- ing(s) as set forth in Rule 74. (g) Description of the Preferred Embodi- ment (s) : A description of the preferred em- bodiment (s) of the invention as required in Rule 71. The description should be as short and specific as is necessary to adequately and accurately describe the invention. Where elements or groups of elements, com- pounds, and processes, which are conventional and generally widely known in the field to which the invention pertains, form a part of the invention described and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art, they should not be described in detail. However, where particularly complicated sub- ject matter is involved or where the elements, compounds, or processes may not be commonly or widely known in the field, the specification should refer to another patent or readily avail- able publication which adequately describes the subject matter. (h) Claim(s) : (See Rule 75.) A claim may be typed with the various elements subdivided in paragraph form. There may be plural inden- tations to further segregate subcombinations or related steps. Reference characters corresponding to ele- ments recited in the detailed description and <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22. Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> <!-- PageHeader="601.02" --> the drawings may be used in conjunction with the recitation of the same element or group of elements in the claims. The reference charac- ters, however, should be enclosed within paren- theses so as to avoid confusion with other num- bers or characters which may appear in the claims. The use of reference characters is to be considered as having no effect on the scope of the claims. Claims should preferably be arranged in order of scope so that the first claim presented is the broadest. Where separate species are claimed, the claims of like species should be grouped together where possible and physically separated by drawing a line between claims or groups of claims. (Both of these provisions may not be practical or possible where several species claims depend from the same generic claim.) Similarly, product and process claims should be separately grouped. Such arrangements are for the purpose of facilitating classification and examination. The form of claim required in Rule 75 (e) is particularly adapted for the description of improvement type inventions. It is to be con- sidered a combination claim and should be drafted with this thought in mind. In drafting claims in accordance with Rule 75 (e), the preamble is to be considered to posi- tively and clearly include all the elements or steps recited therein as a part of the claimed combination. Oath (See Rule 65.) Where one or more previously filed foreign applications are cited or mentioned in the oath, complete identifying data, includ- ing the application or serial number as well as the country and date of filing, should be provided. ### THE APPLICATION The petition, specification, and oath must be in the English language and must be legibly typewritten, written or printed in permanent ink. See Rule 52 and § 608.01. The parts of the application may be included in a single document, and an approved single- signature form may be used. Determination of completeness of an appli- cation is covered in § 506. The petition, specification and oath are se- cured together in a file wrapper, bearing ap- propriate identifying data including the serial number and filing date ($ 717). NoTE Rule 147 Division applications § 201.06. Streamlined Continuation applications $ 201.07. Reissue applications § 1401. Design applications, Chapter 1500. Plant applications, Chapter 1600. A model, exhibit or specimen is not required as part of the application as filed, although it may be required in the prosecution of the ap- plication (Rules 91-93, § 608.03). Rule 59. Papers of complete application not to be returned. The papers in a complete application will not be returned for any purpose whatever. If appli- cants have not preserved copies of the papers, the Office will furnish copies at the usual cost. See rule 87 for return of drawing. See, however, § 604.04(a). #### 601 Petition [R-22] Rulc 61. Petition. (a) The petition must be addressed to the Commissioner of Patents and request the grant of a patent. The residence, and post office address of the petitioner must appear in the petition if not stated else- where in the application. The petition need not be separately signed when part of and attached to the specification and oath or declaration, otherwise it must be signed by the petitioner. (b) The power of attorney or authorization of agent may be incorporated in the petition. Petitioner's or applicant's post office address is discussed in § 605.03. The petition need not be dated. #### 601.01 Amendment of Petition [R-22] Those portions of the petition other than the post office address (see § 605.03) may be amended by the attorney. #### 601.02 Power of Attorney or Author- ization of Agent [R-22] The attorney's or agent's full post office ad- dress (including ZIP code number) should be given in every power of attorney or authority of agent. The telephone number of the attorney or agent may also be included in the petition. The prompt delivery of communications will thereby be facilitated. Usually a power of attorney or authorization of agent is incorporated in either the petition or single signature form. (See $$ 402 and 605.04 (a). <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22, Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> ## 602 602 Original Oath or Declaration [R-22] Rule 65. Statement of Applicant. (a) (1) The ap- plicant, if the inventor, must state that he verily be- lieves himself to be the original and first inventor or discoverer of the process, machine, manufacture, com- position of matter, or improvement thereof, for which he solicits a patent; that he does not know and does not believe that the same was ever known or used before his invention or discovery thereof, and shall state of what country he is a citizen and where he resides, and whether he is a sole or joint inventor of the invention claimed in his application. In every original application the applicant must distinctly state that to the best of his knowledge and belief the inven- tion has not been in public use or on sale in the United States more than one year prior to his application or patented or described in any printed publication in any country before his invention or more than one year prior to his application, or patented in any foreign country prior to the date of his application on an appli- cation filed by himself or his legal representatives or assigns more than twelve months prior to his appli- cation in this country. He shall state whether or not any application for patent on the same invention has been filed in any foreign country, either by himself or by his legal representatives or assigns If any such application has been filed, the applicant shall name the country in which the earliest such application was filed, and shall give the day, month, and year of its filing; he shall also identify by country and by day, month, and year of filing, every such foreign applica- tion filed more than twelve months before the filing of the application in this country. (2) This statement (i) must be subscribed to by the applicant, and (li) must either (a) be sworn to (or affirmed) as provided in Rule 66, or (b) include the personal declaration of the applicant as prescribed in Rule 68. See Rule 153 for design cases and Rule 162 for plant cases. (b) If the application is made as provided in Rules 42, 43, or 47, the applicant shall state his relationship to the inventor and, upon information and belief, the facts which the inventor is required by this rule to state. (c) An additional statement may be required if the application has not been filed in the Patent Office within a reasonable time after execution of the original state- ment. Rate 08. Declaration in Lieu of Oath, Any docu- ment to be filed in the Patent Office and which is re- quired by any law, rule, or other regulation to be under oath may be subscribed to by a written declaration with the exception of testimony relating to interferences and other contested cases covered by rules 271 to 286. Such declaration may be used in lieu of the oath otherwise required, it, and only if, the declarant is on the same document, warned that willful false statements and the like are punishable by fine or Imprisonment, or both (18 U.S.C. 1001) and may jeopardize the validity of the application or any patent issuing thereon. The declarant must set forth in the body of the declaration that all statements made of his own knowledge are true and that all statements made on information and bellef are believed to be true. 18 U.S.C. 1001. Statements or entries generally Whoerer, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States know- ingly and willfully falsifies, conceals or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact, or makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or repre- sentations, or makes or uses any false writing or docu- ment knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. A Rule 68 Declaration need not be ribboned to the other papers, even if signed in a country foreign to the United States. When a Declara- tion is used, it is unnecessary to appear before any official in connection with the making of the Declaration. It must, however, since it is an integral part of the application, be maintained together therewith. Suggested forms for dec- larations are located in the back portion of the "Rules of Practice" booklet. By statute, 35 U.S.C. 25, the Commissioner has been empowered to prescribe instances when a written declaration may be accepted in lieu of the oath for "any document to be filed in the Patent Office". The filing of a written declaration is not ac- ceptable in lieu of the authentication of an original application oath that is informal in that it lacks authentication by a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States. See § 604.04(a). However, if the informality in the original oath is not a requirement of the Statute, the defective oath may be replaced by a declara- tion. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22. Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> 602.04(*) <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> The applicant must state that no foreign ap- plications have been filed, if such is the case. If all foreign applications have been filed within twelve months of the U.S. filing date, he is required only to recite the first such foreign application, and it should be clear that the foreign application referred to is the first filed foreign application. The applicant is required to recite all foreign applications filed more than twelve months prior to the U.S. filing. It is desirable to give the foreign serial number as well as the filing date of the first filed foreign application, especially if the inven- tor's name will not appear in a certified copy of said foreign application. The single signature forms mentioned in sec- tion 605.04 (a) includes the oath or declaration. An oath or declaration which refers to appli- cant as "the petitioner" need not contain applicant's name in the body thereof. In the oath, the jurat must be filled out, and the word "sole" or "only" must appear if there is but one inventor, and "joint" if two or more inventors. When joint inventors execute separate oaths or declarations, each oath or declaration should make reference to the fact that the affiant is a joint inventor together with each of the other inventors indicating them by name. This may be done by stating that he does verily believe himself to be the original, first and joint inven- tor together with "A or A & B, etc." as the facts may be. A seal is usually impressed. See sections 604 and 604.01 and Rule 66. However oaths exe- cuted in many states including Alabama, Louisi- ana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Vir- ginia need not be impressed with a seal. If a claim is presented for matter not orig- inally claimed or embraced in the original statement of invention in the specification a supplemental oath is required. Rule 67. sec- tion 603. [R-21] ### 602.01 Oath Cannot Be Amended [R-21] The wording of an oath or declaration cannot be amended. If the wording is not correct or if all of the required affirmations have not been made or if it has not been properly subscribed to, a new oath or declaration must be required. However, in some cases a defiiency in the oath or declaration can be corrected by a supple- mental paper and a new oath or declaration is not necessary. For example, if the oath does not set forth evidence that the notary was acting within his jurisdiction at the time he administered the oath a certificate of the notary that the oath was taken within his jurisdiction will correct the deficiency. See sections 602 and 604.02. ## 602.02 New Oath or Substitute for Original [R-21] In requiring a new oath or declaration, the Examiner should always give the reason for the requirement and call attention to the fact that the application of which it is to form a part must be properly identified in the body of the new oath or declaration, preferably by giving the serial number and the date of filing. This is done in the first action by means of attach- ment Form PO-152 (see section 707.07(a) ). Where neither the original oath or declara- tion, nor the substitute oath or declaration is complete in itself, but the two taken together give all the required data, no further oath or declaration is needed. ## 602.03 Defective Oath or Declaration [R-21] In the first Office action the Examiner must point out, making use of attachment Form PO- 152 (see section 707.07(a) ), every deficiency in a declaration or oath and require that the same be remedied. However, when an appli- cation is otherwise ready for issue, an Examiner with full signatory authority may waive the following minor deficiencies : 1\. A delay of somewhat more than five weeks plus mailing time in filing after the time of making the declaration, or the time of execution in the case of an oath. 2\. Residence of an applicant if a post office address is given. 3\. Minor deficiencies in the execution of an oath. If any of the above are waived, the Examiner should write in the margin of the declaration or oath a notation such as "Date of declaration waived; application ready for issue" and initial. ## 6020.4 Foreign Executed Oath [R-21] An oath executed in a foreign country must be properly authenticated. See section 604 and Rule 66. 602.04 (a) Foreign Executed Oath Is Ribboned to Other Appli- cation Papers [R-21] Extract from Rule 66. (b) When the oath is taken before an officer in a country foreign to the United States, all the application papers, except the drawings, <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 21, July 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> <!-- PageHeader="602.05" --> must be attached together and a ribbon pested one er joore times through all the sheets of the application, except the drawings, and the ends of said ribbon brought together under the seal before the latter is affixed and impressed, or cach sheet must be impressed with the official seal of the oficer before whom the oath la taken, If the papers as dled are not properly ribboned or each sheet impressed with the seal, the case will be accepted for examination but before it is allowed, duplicate papers, prepared in compliance with the foregoing sentence, must be filled. Note that a Declaration in Lieu of Applica- tion Oath ( Rule 68) need not be ribboned to the other papers. It must, however, be maintained together therewith. ## 602.05 Oath-Date of Execution [R-21] The time elapsed between the date of execu- tion of oath and the filing date of the applica- tion should be checked for compliance with Rule 65 (c). If an unreasonable time has elapsed, the Examiner should call for a new oath. What constitutes a reasonable time is a question of judgment to be determined by all the circumstances in the particular case. (Five weeks plus time of transmission in the mails was considered reasonable under the circum- stances of Ex parte Heinze, 1919 C.D. 67; 265 O.G. 145). The "Notice of informal Patent Ap- plication" attachment form PO-152 is used to notify applicant that his oath is stale. If no date of execution appears, applicant is required to file either a new oath or a certifi- cate from the notary giving the actual date when the oath was taken. ## 602.05 (a) Oath in Division and Con- tinuation Cases [R-21] Where the date of filing the application is not the date that determines the statutory twelve months' period, as in divisional and continuation cases, it is immaterial, so far as concerns the acceptability of the oath, how long a time intervenes between the execution of the oath and the filing of the application. When a divisional application is identical with the original application as filed, signing and execution of the oath in the divisional case may be omitted. (See Rule 147, section 201.06.) In a streamlined continuation application, the oath or declaration of the parent application can be used. Therefore, signing and execution of a new oath or declaration in the streamlined continuation is not required. See section 201.07. ## 603 Supplemental Oath [R-21] Rule 67. Supplementel oath er decleration for mat- ter not originally cisimed. (a) When an applicant pre- cests a cinim for matter originally showa or described bat not substantially embraced in the statement of invention or clatin originally presented, he shall file a supplemental oath or declaration to the effect that the subject matter of the proposed amendment was part of his invention; that he does not know and does not believe that the same was ever known or used before his invention or discovery thereof, or patented or de- scribed in any printed publication in any country before his invention or discovery thereof, or more than one year before his application, or in public use or on sale in the United States for more than one year before the date of his application, that said invention has not been patented in any foreign country prior to the date of his application in this country on an application filed by himself or his legal representatives or assigns more than twelve months prior to his application in the United States, and has not been abandoned. Such sup- plemental oath or declaration should accompany and properly identify the proposed amendment, otherwise the proposed amendment may be refused consideration. (b) In proper cases the oath or declaration here re- quired may be made on information and belief by an applicant other than inventor. Rule 67 requires in the supplemental oath or declaration substantially all the data called for in Rule 65 for the original oath or declara- tion. As to the purpose to be served by the sup- plemental oath or declaration, the Examiner should bear in mind that it cannot be availed of to introduce new matter into an application. ## 603.01 Supplemental Oath Filed After Allowance [R-21] Since the decision in Cutter Co. v. Metro- politan Electric Mfg. Co., 275 Fed. 158, many supplemental oaths covering the claims in the case have been filed after the case is allowed. Such oaths may be filed as a matter of right and when received they will be placed in the file by the Issue Branch, but their receipt will not be acknowledged to the party filing them. They should not be filed or considered as amendments under Rule 312, since they make no change in the wording of the papers on file. See section 714.16. ## 604 Administration or Execution of Oath [R-21] Extract From Rule 66. Officers authorized to ad- minister ouths. (a) The oath or affirmation may be made before any person within the United States au- thorized by law to administer oaths, or, when made in <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 21, July 1000" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> <!-- PageHeader="604.03" --> a foreign country, before any diplomatic or consular officer of the United States authorized to administer oaths, or before any officer having an official mal and authorized to administer osths in the foreign coantry in which the applicant may be, whose authority shall be proved by a certificate of a diplomatic or cutarular officer of the United States, the oath being attested in all cases in this and other countries, by the proper official seal of the omcer before whom the oath or affirmation is made. Such oath or affirmation shall be valld as to execution if it complies with the laws of the state or country where made. When the person before whom the oath or affirmation is made in this country is not provided with a real, his official charac- ter shall be established by competent evidence, as by a certificate from a clerk of a court of record or other proper officer having a seal. See section 602.04(a) for foreign executed oath. ### 604.01 Seal [R-21] When the person before whom the oath or affirmation is made in this country is not pro- vided with a seal, his official character shall be established by competent evidence, as by a cer- tificate from a clerk of a court of record or other proper officer having a seal, except as noted in section 604.03(a), in which situations no seal is necessary. When the issue concerns the authority of the person administering the oath, the Examiner should require proof of author- ity. Depending on the jurisdiction, the "seal" may be either embossed or rubber stamped. The latter should not be confused with a stamped legend indicating only the date of expiration of the notary's commission. See also section 602.04 (a) on foreign executed oath and seal. In some jurisdictions, the seal of the notary is not required but the official title of the officer must be on the oath. This applies to Alabama, California (certain notaries), Lou- isiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Virginia. ### 604.02 Venue [R-2]] That portion of an oath or affidavit indicat- ing where the oath is taken is known as the venue. Where the county and state in the venue agree with the county and state in the seal, no problem arises. If the venue and seal do not correspond in county and state, the jurisdiction of the notary must be determined from statements by the notary appearing on the oath, or from the listing at section 604.03. Venne and notary jurisdiction must correspond or the oath is improper. The oath should show on its face that it was taken within the jurisdic- tion of the certifying officer or notary. This may be given either in the venue or in the body of the jurat. Otherwise, a new oath, or a certificate of the notary that the oath was taken within his jurisdiction, must be required. Ex parte Delavoye, 1906 C.D. 320; 124 O.G. 626; Ex parte Irwin, 1928 C.D. 13; 367 O.G. 701. The following language may be used in an Office action where the venue is not shown : [1] The oath in this application lacks the statement of venue. To correct this defect, ap- plicant is required to furnish either a new oath in proper form, identifying the applica- tion by serial number and date of filing, or a certificate by the officer before whom the original oath was taken stating that he was within his jurisdiction when he administered that oath. Where the seal and venue differ the appro- priate statement on the "Notice of Informal Patent Application" form PO-152 should be checked. ### 604.03 Notaries and Extent of Juris- diction The extent of the jurisdiction of the notaries in the various states is given below. COUNTY ONLY Louisiana Texas Mississippi #### VARIABLE JURISDICTION (See explanatory paragraphs below) Alabama (a) Missouri (e) Florida (b) Nebraska (a) Hawaii (c) Ohio (f) Iowa (d) Tennessee (g) Kansas (e) Virginia (h) Kentucky (d) West Virginia (d) ##### STATEWIDE All other states (a) Alabama and Nebraska notaries are ap- pointed for counties and for state at large. (b) Florida notary commissions are cus- tomarily for state at large but may be restricted by commission to less than the state at large. (c) In Hawaii it is generally limited to the judicial circuit. (d) In Iowa, Kentucky and West Virginia it is limited to county for which appointed, but notary in any county may qualify and act as notary in any other county. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 21, July 1989" --> <!-- PageFooter="257-373 09 - 69 - 3" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="604.05 (a)" --> <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> (e) The jurisdiction of Kansas and Missouri notaries is coextensive with county of appoint ment and adjoining counties. (f) In Ohio, notaries other than attorneys are appointed by the Governor for a term of 5 years and have power to act only in county for which appointed. An attorney or any person certified by a judge of the court of common pleas of the county in which he resides as qualified for the duties of official stenographic reporter of such state, may, however be commissioned for the entire state. The extent of jurisdiction is stated near the notary's signature. (g) Tennessee notary publics commissioned in one county may file in county court of any other county and thereupon may exercise the function of his office in such other county. In such cases, however, notary must attach to his certificate a statement that he is qualified in the county in which he acts. Notaries at large are commissioned by the Secretary of the State. Notary's signature must indicate that he is so qualified. Special seal is prescribed by the Sec- retary of State. (h) In Virginia, notaries are limited to city or county for which appointed except that notary for city may act in county or city con- tiguous thereto, and a notary for a county may act in city contiguous thereto. Notaries may be appointed for two or more counties and cities or for the state at large. The notary does not have to state when his commission expires but if he does so state, the oath should be inspected to determine whether or not the notary's commission had expired at the date of execution of the oath. ## 604.03 (a) Notarial Powers of Some Military Officers Public Law 506 (81st Congress, Second Ses- sion) Article 136: (a) The following persons on active duty in the armed forces . . . shall have the general powers of a notary public and of a consul of the United States, in the per- formance of all notarial acts to be executed by members of any of the armed forces, wherever they may be, and by other persons subject to this code [Uniform Code of Military Justice] outside the continental limits of the United States : (1) All judge advocates of the Army and Air Force; (2) All law specialists; (3) All summary courts-martial; (4) All adjutants, assistant adjutants, act- ing adjutants, and personnel adjutants; (5) All commanding officers of the Navy and Coast Guard; (6) All staff judge advocates and legal offi- cers, and acting or assistant staff judge advo- cates and legal officers; and (7) All other persons designated by regula- tions of the armed forces or by statute. (d) The signature without seal of any such person acting as notary, together with the title of his office, shall be prima facie evidence of his authority. ### 604.04 Consul [R-21] When the oath is made in a foreign country, the authority of any officer other than a diplo- matic or consular officer of the United States authorized to administer oaths must be proved by certificate of a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States. Rule 66, section 604. This proof may be through an intermediary ; e.g., the consul may certify as to the authority and juris- diction of another official who, in turn, may cer- tify as to the authority and jurisdiction of the officer before whom the oath is taken. ## 604.04(a) Consul-Omission of Cer- tificate [R-21] Where the oath is taken before an officer in a foreign country other than a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States and whose authority is not authenicated, the application is nevertheless given a filing date for purposes of examination. The Examiner, in his first Office action, should note this informality and require authentication of the oath by an ap- propriate diplomatic or consular officer. The following language is suggested in requiring authentication of an oath : [1] "The oath is objected to as being informal in that it lacks authentication by a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States; Rule 66 (a). This informality can be overcome only by forwarding the original oath to the appro- priate officer for authentication if applicant wishes to preserve his original filing date. Ap- plicant should therefore request return of the oath for this purpose. Such request must be accompanied by an order for a copy of the oath to be retained in the file until the prop- erly authenticated oath is returned. After the oath has been authenticated, it should be re- turned promptly to the Patent Office." At the time of the next Office action the request for return of the oath, together with the application file and the copy of the oath, is submitted to the Group Director. If the request is approved by him, the oath will be returned to the applicant by the Examining Group. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 21, July 1909" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> 604.06 The filing of a declaration by the applicant in lieu of an authentication of the original oath cannot be accepted since the authentication is essential to preserve the original filing date. ### 604.05 Consular Fee Stamp All papers executed on or after June 28, 1955, that formerly required the consular fee stamp, are acceptable without such stamp. ## 604.06 By Attorney in Case The language of Rule 66 and 35 U.S.C. 115 is such that an attorney in the case is no longer barred from administering the oath as notary. The Office presumes that an attorney acting as notary is cognizant of the extent of his authority and jurisdiction and will not know- <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 21, July 199" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS. FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> <!-- PageHeader="605.03" --> ingly jeopardize his client's rights by perform- ing an illegal act. If such practice is permis- sible under the law of the jurisdiction where the oath is administered, then the oath is a valid oath. The law of the District of Columbia pro- hibits the administering of oaths by the attor- ney in the case and hence the old bar still ap- plies in the case of oaths administered in the District of Columbia. If the oath is known to be void because of being administered by the attorney in a jurisdiction where the law holds this to be invalid, the proper action for the Office to take is to strike the application since there is in effect no proper application before the Office and the Examiner will refer the file to the Solicitor's Office to initiate such action. (Riegger v. Beierl, 1910 C.D. 12: 150 O.G. 826). See Rule 66 and section 604. [R-20] ## 605 Applicant [R-20] Rule 41. Applicant for patent. (a) A patent must be applied for and the application papers must be signed and the necessary oath or declaration executed by the actual inventor in all cases, except as provided by rules 42, 43, and 47. See rule 147. (b) Unless the contrary is indicated. the word "ap- plicant" when used in these rules refers to the inventor, joint inventors who have applied for a patent, or to the person mentioned in rules 42, 43, or 47 who has applied for a patent in place of the inventor. Extract from Rule 45. Joint inventors. (a) Joint inventors must apply for a patent jointly and each must sign the application papers and make the re- quired oath or declaration; neither of them alone, nor less than the entire number, can apply for a patent for an invention invented by them jointly, except as provided in rule 47. For convertibility from a joint to sole or sole to joint application, see section 201.03. Rule 46. Assigned inventions and patents. In case the whole or a part interest in the invention or in the patent to be issued is assigned, the application must still be made by the inventor or one of the persons mentioned in rules 42, 43, or 47. However, the patent may be issued to the assignee or jointly to the inventor and the assignee as provided in rule 334. This section concerns filing by the actual in- ventor. If filed by other, see section 409.03. ### NOTE Streamlined continuation application, sec- tion 201.07. Disposition of application by inventor, section 301. Inventor dead or in- sane, section 409. ## 605.01 Applicant's Citizenship The statute (35 U.S.C. 115) requires an ap- plicant to state his citizenship. Where an applicant is not a citizen of any country, a statement to this effect is accepted as satis- fying the statutory requirement; but a state- ment as to citizenship applied for or first papers taken out looking to future citizenship in this (or any other) country does not meet the requirement. ## 605.02 Applicant's Residence [R-20] Applicant's place of residence (not to be con- fused with his Post Office address) can be fur- nished by the attorney. In the case of an ap- plicant who is in the U.S. Army or U.S. Navy, a statement to that effect is sufficient as to residence. For change of residence see section 717.02 (b). When the post office address is supplied but the residence is omitted, the post office address is presumed to be the city and state of his resi- dence. Applicant should be so notified by us- ing language similar to that suggested on work sheet form PO-1002, which states: [1] "Applicant's residence has been omitted from the papers. The city and state of his post office address will be presumed to be the city and state of his residence. If the above is incorrect, applicant should submit a state- ment of his place of residence no later than at the time of payment of the issue fee." If both the post office address and residence are incomplete, not uniform or omitted, the "Notice of Informal Patent Application" form PO-152 should be used. ## 605.03 Applicant's Post Office Address [R-20] Applicant's post office address means under Rule 61 that address at which he customarily receives his mail. The object of requiring applicant's post of- fice address is to enable the Office to communi- cate directly with the applicant if desired; hence, the address of the attorney with in- structions to send communications to applicant in care of the attorney is not sufficient. If the post office address is entirely omitted it must be supplied by a letter over the appli- cant's own signature. Where, however, having given complete data as to his residence, the applicant identifies his post office address only by street and number, it is assumed and so accepted, that the city and state of his resi- dence are the city and state of his post office address. Any amendment of the post office address re- quires the signature of the applicant himself. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 20, Apr. 1939" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> The "Notice of Informal Patent Application" attachment form PO-152 is used to notify appli- cant that the post office address is incomplete or omitted. ## 605.04 Applicant's Signature a n d Name [R-20] Rule 57. Signature. The application must be signed by the applicant in person. The signature of the oath or declaration will be accepted as the signature to the application provided the oath or declaration is attached to and refers to the petition, specification and claim to which it applies. Full names must be given, including the full first name without abbreviation, and the mid- dle initial or name if any. Rule 76. Signature to the specification. When the oath or declaration is attached to and refers to the peti- tion, specification and claim to which it applies, the specification need not be signed. Otherwise it must be signed by the applicant in person. The signing and execution by the applicant of certain Divisional and Streamlined Contin- uation applications may be omitted. Rule 147, sections 201.06 and 201.07. NOTE: Signature to response see sections 714.01 (a) to (e). ### 605.04(a) Single Signature Form The single signature form should be exe- cuted only when attached to a complete appli- cation as the last page thereof. Such a form is shown as No. 16 in the List of Forms in the Rules of Practice booklet. ### 605.04(b) Full First Name Required All applications which disclose the full first and last names with middle initial or name, if any, of the applicant at any place in the application papers will be received and con- sidered as a sufficient compliance with Rules 57 and 76 of the Rules of Practice. When the full first name of the applicant does not appear either in the signature or else- where in the papers the Examiner will, in the first official action, require an amendment over applicant's signature supplying the omis- sion. and he will not pass the application to issue until the omission has been supplied unless a statement be filed over the applicant's own signature setting forth that his full first name is as signed or what is in fact his full first name. No affidavit should be required. The requirement should be made only when for the first name in the signature a mere ini- tial appears or what can be only an abbrevia- tion of a name. Rule 57 requires "full names". The full first name must appear somewhere in the papers as filed. Otherwise, appropriate amendment is required. In an application where the name is type- written with a middle name or initial, but the signature is without such middle name or ini- tial, action should be taken as follows: In the first Office letter, call attention to the lack of uniformity and request information over the applicant's signature as to the correct form of his name, together with any necessary amendment. If applicant, in reply, gives the name with- out the middle name or initial unaccompanied by any instructions to amend the typewritten name, the reply may be interpreted as a direc- tion to cancel the middle name or initial from the preamble; though such amendment is not material, since the preamble is no longer printed in the patent. It is necessary how- ever, that such surplus portion of the name, if it appears printed on the drawing, should be removed therefrom. This can be done by the Office draftsman. If applicant gives the name with the middle name or initial, interpret the reply as a direc- tion that the middle name or initial is to be used in the name on the printed patent. As the printer takes the name from the face of the file wrapper, the middle name or initial should be added thereto in red ink. If applicant fails to answer the request and the case is otherwise ready for issue, prepare an Examiner's Amendment indicating that the name on the drawing has been corrected to correspond with the signature or signatures. have the Draftsman correct the drawing, and pass the case to issue. This cannot be done if there are inconsistencies in the signatures. There should be uniformity notwithstanding that lack of it is not sufficient to affect the validity of the patent. When the name on the file is corrected, the file should be sent to the Application Branch for correction of its records. ## 605.04(c) Applicant Changes Name [R-20] In cases where an applicant's name has been changed after his application has been filed and the applicant desires that the patent when issued carry an endorsement as to the change in his name, he must submit a recording fee accompanied by either an affidavit signed with Itev. 20. Apr. 1909 <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> <!-- PageHeader="605.04(c)" --> both names and setting forth the procedure whereby the change of name was effected, or a certified copy of the Court order. Such papers are recorded by the Assignment Branch where the new name is added on the file wrapper. The Assignment Branch forwards the file to the Application Branch for a change in their records. No change is made on the face of the file by the Clerk of the Examining Group. A suit- able endorsement being made by the Assignment Branch. When ready for allowance, the case should be sent to the Drafting Branch for the addition of the new name to the drawing. Where the change of name is merely by amendment, such as the addition of a full first name or a middle initial and no affidavit is required, the file is sent to the Application Branch for a change in their records and if the application is assigned it will be forwarded by the Application Branch to the Assignment Branch for a change in assignment record. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 20, Apr. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> <!-- PageHeader="605.05(a)" --> ### 605.04(d) Applicant Unable to Write If the applicant is unable to write, his mark as affixed to the application must be attested to by a witness. In the case of the oath, the notary's signature to the jurat is sufficient to authenticate the mark. 605.04(e) May Use Title With Signa- ture It is permissible for an applicant to use a title of nobility or other title, such as "Dr.", in connection with his signature. The title will not appear in the printed patent. ## 605.04(f) Signature on Joint Appli- cations-Order of Names It is not essential that the names appear in the same order in the signatures to the petition, specification, oath, and drawing. The order of names of joint patentees in the heading of the patent is taken from the order in which the typewritten names appear in the original oath accompanying the application papers. Care should therefore be exercised in selecting the preferred order of the typewrit- ten names of the joint inventors, before filing. as requests for subsequent shifting of the names would entail changing numerous rec- ords in the Office. Since the particular order in which the names appear is of no conse- quence insofar as the legal rights of the joint applicants are concerned. no changes will be made except for good reasons and by permis- sion of the Commissioner. It is suggested that all typewritten and signed names appearing in the application papers should be in the same order as the typewritten names in the oath. In those instances where the joint applicants file separate oaths, the order of names is taken from the order in which the several oaths ap- pear in the application papers unless a differ- ent order is requested at the time of filing. ## 605.04(g) When Name Is Corrected, Send to Application Branch When the name is corrected by amendment. the file should be sent to the Application Branch for correction of the name in its rec- ord. When the name is changed, see 605.04 (c). ### 605.04(h) Signature to Drawing Rule 82. Signature to drawing. Signatures are not required on the drawing if it accompanies and is re- ferred to in the other papers of the application, other. wise the drawing must he signed. The drawing may be signed by the applicant in person or have the name of the applicant placed thereon followed by the alg- nature of the attorney or agent as such, Extract from Rule 85. Drawings, (h) Location of signature and names. The signature of the applicant, or the name of the applicant and signature of the attorney or agent, may be placed in the lower right- hand corner of each sheet within the marginal line, or may be placed below the lower marginal line. The signature when placed on the drawing should never cross the marginal line. The sig- nature on the drawing must not be inconsistent with the other signatures and typed names in the application. Moreover, it cannot include a middle name if the other signatures include only a middle initial consistent therewith. It can, however, include initials for the first and middle names. Drawings filed without the in- ventor's name thereon, will have the name applied in pencil by the Mail Branch. When the drawing is signed by the inventor in person the name of the attorney is not per- mitted to appear thereon. The drawing may be signed by the appli- cant, attorney, or agent in person after the drawing has been filed. The signature need not be dated. Prohibition against changing name of the attorney on drawing is discussed at 608.02(u). For return of drawing to appli- cant for signature see 608.02(y). The name or signature of the inventor must be identified as such by an appropriate legend. Each sheet must be signed when the signature is necessary. The printed name of the in- ventor without a signature is also acceptable and may appear, if desired, only on the first sheet. 605.05 Administrator, Executor, or Other Legal Representative In an application filed by a legal representa- tive of the inventor, the specification should not be written in the first person. Instead of the usual "I have found," the wording should be "it was found." For prosecution by administrator or execu- tor. see 409.01(a). For prosecution by heirs, see 409.01(a) and 409.01 (d). For prosecution by representative of legally incapacitated inventor. see 409.02. For prosecution by other than inventor, see 409.03. 605.05(a) Signature of Legal Repre- sentative If the drawing is signed by the legal repre- sentative it must follow this form: John A. Jones, deceased, by Mary A. Jones, Administratrix. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 11, Jan. 1967" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="605.06" --> <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> The other signatures must either he ir the above form or: Mary A. Jones Administratriz of Estate of John A. Jones, deceased. If the drawing is signed by the attorney, this form must be used : John A. Jonas, deceased. by Mary A. Jones, Administratrix, by William A. Smith, Atty. If the specification bears the signature of the administrator or executor but omits the matter. "administrator of the Estate of John Jones, deceased," the matter can be added by amend- ment. The Examiner may make the amend- ment if the case is otherwise ready for issue. # 605.06 Filing by Other Than Inventor See 409.03. # 606 Title of Invention Rule 72(a). The title of the invention, which should be as short and specific as possible, should appear as a heading on the first page of the specification, if it does not otherwise appear at the beginning of the applica- tion. # 606.01 Examiner May Require Change in Title Where the title is not descriptive of the in- vention claimed, the Examiner should require the substitution of a new title that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. This may result in slightly longer titles, but the loss in brevity of title will be more than offset by the gain in its informative value in indexing, classifying. searching, etc. If a satisfactory title is not supplied by the applicant, the Examiner may change the title by Examiner's Amendment on or after allowance. If a change in title is the only change being made by the Examiner at the time of allow- ance a separate Examiner's Amendment need not be prepared. The change in title will be incorporated in the Notice of Allowance. This will be accomplished by adding the typewrit- ten notation in capital letters "AS AMENDED BY EXAMINER" following the heading "Title of Invention or Improvement" and en- tering thereunder the title as changed by the Examiner who should initial the face of the file wrapper. However, if an Examiner's Amendment must be prepared for other reasons any change in title will be incorporated therein. 607 Filing Fee Applications filed before October 25, 1965, required only a basic filing fee. That part of the new Fee Act, effective October 25, 1965, per- taining to claims presented after an application is filed, does not apply to these applications. See 714.10. Applications filed on or after October 25, 1965, are subject to the following fees and prac- tice : When filing an application, a basic fee of $65 entitles applicant to present (10) claims includ- ing not more than (1) in independent form. If claims in excess of the above are included at the time of filing, an additional fee of $10 is required for each independent claim in excess of one, and a $2 fee for each claim in excess of ten (10) claims ( whether independent or de- pendent). Upon submission of an amendment (whether entered or not) affecting the claims, payment of the following additional fees is required in a pending application : $10 __ for each independent claim pending in excess of the number of independent claims already paid for. $2 __ for each claim pending in excess of the total number already paid for. (It should be recognized that the basic $65 fee pays for ten (10) claims, one of which may be independent, re- gardless of the number actually filed.) Amendments before the first action, or not filed in response to an Office action, presenting additional claims in excess of the number al- ready paid for, not accompanied by the full ad- ditional fee due, will not be entered in whole or in part and applicant will be so advised. Such amendments filed in reply to an Office action will be regarded as not responsive thereto and the practice set forth in section 714.03 will be followed. The additional fees, if any, due with an amendment are calculated on the basis of the claims (total and independent ) which would be present, if the amendment were entered. The amendment of a claim, unless it changes a de- dendent claim to an independent claim, and the replacement of a claim by a claim of the same type do not require any additional fees. For purposes of determining the fee due the Patent Office, a claim will be treated as depen- dent if it contains reference to one other claim in the application. A claim determined to be dependent by this test will be entered if the fee paid reflects this determination. Any claim which is in dependent form but. which is so worded that it, in fact is not, as for <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 13, July 1967" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> 608.01 example it does not include every limitation of the claim on which it depends, will be required to be canceled as not being a proper dependent claim; and cancellation of any further claim depending on such a dependent claim will be similarly required. The applicant may there- upon amend the claims to place them in proper dependent form, or may redraft them as inde- pendent claims, upon payment of any neces- sary additional fee. After a requirement for restriction, non- elected claims will be included in determining the fees due in connection with a subsequent amendment unless such claims are canceled. An amendment accompanying the papers con- stituting the separate application under Rule 147 canceling claims from the certified copy will be effective to diminish the number of claims to be considered in calculating the filing fees to be paid. The additional fees, if any, due with an amendment are required prior to any consider- ation of the amendment by the Examiner. Money paid in connection with the filing of a proposed amendment will not be refunded by reason of the nonentry of the amendment. Amendments affecting the claims cannot serve as the basis for granting any refund. [R-22] ## 607.01 Fee Exempt [R-22] There were two types of Fee Exempt appli- cations: (a) those filed under 35 U.S.C. 266, repealed as of October 25, 1965 and (b) those filed under a ruling of the Comptroller Gen- eral's Opinion B-111,648 also abrogated as of the same date: Beginning October 25, 1965, there are no longer any applications which are exempt from the filing fee or the issue fee. Applications filed before this date without the filing fee under the provisions previously in effect are subject to payment of the issue fee. ## 607.02 Returnability of Fees All questions pertaining to the return of fees are referred to the Refund Unit of the Finance Branch of the Budget and Finance Division. No opinions should be expressed to attorneys or applicants as to whether or not fees are return- able in particular cases. ## 608 Disclosure [R-22] In return for a patent, the inventor gives as consideration a complete revelation or dis- closure of the invention for which he seeks protection. All amendments or claims must find basis in the original disclosure, or they involve new matter. Applicant may rely for disclosure upon the specification with original claims and drawings, all as filed complete. See Rule 118 and $ 608.04. ## 608.01 Specification [R-22] Rule 71. Detailed description and specification of the invention. (a) The specification must include a writ- ten description of the invention or discovery and of the manner and process of making and using the same, and is required to be in such full, clear, con- cise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which the invention or dis- covery appertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same. (b) The specification must set forth the precise in- vention for which a patent is solicited, in such manner as to distinguish it from other inventions and from what is old. It must describe completely a specific embodiment of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter or improvement Invented, and must explain the mode of operation or principle when- ever applicable. The best mode contemplated by the in- ventor of carrying out his invention must be set forth. (c) In the case of an improvement, the specification must particularly point out the part or parts of the process, machine, manufacture, or composition of mat- ter to which the improvement relates, and the descrip- tion should be confined to the specific improvement and to such parts as necessarily cooperate with it or as may be necessary to a complete understanding or descrip- tion of it. Certain cross notes to other related applica- tions may be made. References to foreign ap- plications or to applications identified only by the attorney's docket number should be re- quired to be cancelled. See Rule 78 and $ 202.01. Rule 52. Language, paper, writing margins. (a) The petition, specification, and oath or declaration must be in the English language. All papers which are to become a part of the permanent records of the Patent Office must be legibly written or printed in permanent ink. (b) The specification and claims, and also papers subsequently filed, must be plainly written on but one side of the paper. A wide margin must be reserved on the left-hand side and on the top of each page and the lines must not be crowded too closely together. Legal paper, 8 to 814 by 1216 to 13 inches, typewritten and double spaced with margins of one and one-half inches on the left-hand side and top is deemed preferable. Typewritten or printed papers suitable for use by the Office may be required if the papers originally filed are not correctly, legibly and clearly written. (c) Any interlineation, crasure or cancellation or other alteration made before the application was signed and sworn to, or declaration made, should be clearly referred to in a marginal note or footnote on <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22, Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> 608.01 (a) # MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE the same sheet of paper, and initialed or signed and dated by the applicant to indicate such fact. (See Rule 56.) In order that specifications may be expedi- tiously handled by the Office, page numbers should be placed at the center of the bottom of each page. It is a common practice and a commendable one, to consecutively number all the lines of each page (and the lines of each claim). A top margin of at least 11% inches should be reserved on each page to prevent possible mutilation of text when the papers are punched for insertion in a file wrapper. Typed, mimeographed, xeroprinted, multi- graphed or good carbon copy forms of repro- duction are acceptable provided the paper used has a surface such that amendments may be written thereon in ink. So-called "Easily Erasable" paper having a special coating so that erasures can be made more easily may not provide a "permanent" copy. Rule 52(a). If a light pressure of an ordinary (pencil) eraser removes the imprint, the Examiner should, as soon as this becomes evident, notify applicant that it will be necessary for him to order a copy of the specification and claims to be made by the Patent Office at his expense for incorpora- tion in the file. It is not necessary to return this copy to applicant for signature. See in re Benson, 1959 C.D. 5; 744 O.G. 353. Reproductions prepared by heat-sensitive, hec- tographic or spirit duplication processes are also not satisfactory. As stated in Rule 52 the specification as well as petition and oath or declaration must be in the English language. The specification is sometimes in such faulty English that a new specification is necessary, but new specifications encumber the record and require additional reading, and hence should not be required or accepted except in extreme cases. The requirement that the specification must be in the English language is not satisfied by the filing of a signed specification in a foreign language together with a sworn translation thereof. In re Incomplete Application 659 O.G. 917. The specification does not require a date. If a newly filed application obviously fails to disclose an invention with the clarity required by 35 U.S.C. 112, revision of the application should be required. See $ 702.01. As the specification is never returned to ap- plicant under any circumstance, he should re- tain a line for line copy thereof, each line, pref- erably, having been consecutively numbered on each page. In amending, the attorney or the applicant requests insertions, cancellations, or alterations, giving the page and the line. Rule 52(c) relating to interlineations and other alterations is strictly enforced. See in re Swanberg, 129 USPQ 364. 608.01(a) Arrangement of Applica- tion [R-22] Rule 77. Arrangement of application. The follow- ing order of arrangement should be observed in fram- ing the application : (a) Title of the invention; or an introductory por- tion stating the name, citizenship, and residence of the applicant, and the title of the invention may be used. (b) Abstract of the disclosure. (c) Cross-references to related applications, if any. (d) Brief summary of the invention. (e) Brief description of the several views of the drawing, if there are drawings. (f) Detailed description. (g) Claim or claims. (h) Signature. (See rule 76.) NOTE Design patent specification, § 1503.01. Plant patent specification, § 1605. Reissue patent specification, § 1401.06. The following order of arrangement is pref- erable in framing the specification and, except for the title of the invention, each of the lettered items should be preceded by the headings indicated. (a) Title of the Invention. (b) Abstract of the Disclosure. (c) Cross-References to Related Applica- tions (if any). (d) Background of the Invention. 1\. Field of the Invention. 2\. Description of the Prior Art. (e) Summary of the Invention. (f) Brief Description of the Drawing. (g) Description of the Preferred Embodi- ment (s). (h) Claim(s). ## 608.01 (b) Abstract of the Disclosure [R-22] Ruic 72(b). A brief abstract of the technical dis. closure in the specification must be set forth immedi- ately following the title and preceding the disclosure In a separate paragraph under the heading "Abstract of the Disclosure". The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure, and the abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. In all cases which lack an abstract, the Examiner in the first Office action should re- <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22. Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> 608.01 (b) <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> quire the submission of a brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification, the ab- stract to appear immediately after the title of the invention and preceding the disclosure in a separate paragraph under the heading "Ab- stract of the Disclosure." Responses to such actions should be treated under Rule 111(b) practice like any other formal matter. Under current practice, in all instances where the application contains an abstract when sent to issue, the abstract will be published in the Official Gazette instead of a claim. Upon passing the case to issue, the Examiner should see that the abstract is an adequate and clear statement of the contents of the disclosure and generally in line with the guidelines. The abstract shall be changed by the Examiner's Amendment in those instances where' deemed necessary. ## GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF PATENT ABSTRACTS ### Background The Rules of Practice in Patent Cases re- quire that each application for patent include an Abstract of the Disclosure, Rule 72 (b). The content of a patent abstract should be such as to enable the reader thereof, regardless of his degree of familiarity with patent docu- ments, to ascertain quickly the character of the subject matter covered by the technical dis- closure and should include that which is new in the art to which the invention pertains. The abstract is not intended nor designed for use in interpreting the scope or meaning of the claims, Rule 72(b). ### Content A patent abstract is a concise statement of the technical disclosure of the patent and should include that which is new in the art to which the invention pertains. If the patent is of a basic nature, the entire technical disclosure may be new in the art, and the abstract should be directed to the entire disclosure. If the patent is in the nature of an improve- ment in an old apparatus, process, product, or composition, the abstract should include the technical disclosure of the improvement. In certain patents, particularly those for com- pounds and compositions, wherein the process for making and/or the use thereof are not obvious, the abstract should set forth a process for making and/or a use thereof. If the new technical disclosure involves modi- fications or alternatives, the abstract should mention by way of example the preferred modi- fication or alternative. The abstract should not refer to purported merits or speculative applications of the inven- tion and should not compare the invention with the prior art. Where applicable, the abstract should include the following: (1) if a machine or apparatus, its organization and operation ; (2) if an article, its method of making; (3) if a chemical com- pound, its identity and use; (4) if a mixture, its ingredients; (5) if a process, the steps. Extensive mechanical and design details of apparatus should not be given. With regard particularly to chemical patents, for compounds or compositions, the general nature of the compound or composition should be given as well as the use thereof, e.g., "The compounds are of the class of alkyl benzene sul- fonyl ureas, useful as oral anti-diabetics." Exemplification of a species could be illustra- tive of members of the class. For processes, the type reaction, reagents and process conditions should be stated, generally illustrated by a single example unless variations are necessary. #### Language and Format The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph within the range of 50 to 250 words. The form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as "means" and "said," should be avoided. The abstract should sufficiently describe the dis- closure to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details. The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, "This disclosure concerns," "The disclosure defined by this invention," "This disclosure describes," etc. ##### Responsibility Preparation of the abstract is the responsibil- ity of the applicant. Background knowledge of the art and an appreciation of the applicant's contribution to the art are most important in the preparation of the abstract. The review of the abstract, for compliance with these guide- lines, with any necessary editing and revision on allowance of the application is the responsi- bility of the Examiner. ##### Sample Abstracts A heart valve with an annular valve body de- fining an orifice and having a plurality of struts forming a pair of cages on opposite sides of the orifice. A spherical closure member is captively <!-- PageFooter="366-679 0-60 ----- 3" --> <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22, Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> 608.01(c) <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> held within the cages and is moved by blood flow between open and closed positions in check valve fashion. A slight leak or backflow is provided in the closed position by making the orifice slightly larger than the closure member. Blood flow is maximized in the open position of the valve by providing an inwardly convex contour on the orifice-defining surfaces of the body. An annular rib is formed in a channel around the periphery of the valve body to anchor a suture ring used to secure the valve within a heart. A method for sealing, by application of heat, overlapping closure panels of a folding box made from paperboard having an extremely thin coating of moisture-proofing thermoplastic material on opposite surfaces. Heated air is di- rected at the surfaces to be bonded, the tempera- ture of the air at the point of impact on the sur- faces being above the char point of the board. The duration of application of heat is made so brief, by a corresponding high rate of advance of the boxes through the air stream, that the coating on the reverse side of the panels remains substantially non-tacky. The bond is formed immediately after heating within a period of time for any one surface point less than the total time of exposure to heated air of that point. Under such conditions the heat applied to soften the thermoplastic coating is dissipated after completion of the bond by absorption into the board acting as a heat sink without the need for cooling devices. Amides are produced by reacting an ester of a carboxylic acid with an amine, using as cata- lyst an alkoxide of an alkali metal. The ester is first heated to at least 75° C. under a pressure of no more than 500 mm. of mercury to remove moisture and acid gases which would prevent the reaction, and then converted to an amide without heating to initiate the reaction. # 608.01(c) Background of the Inven- tion [R-21] The Background of the Invention ordinarily comprises two parts: (1) Field of the Invention: A statement of the field of art to which the invention pertains. This statement may include a paraphrasing of the applicable U.S. patent classification defini- tions. The statement should be directed to the subject matter of the claimed invention. (2) Description of the Prior Art: A para- graph (s) describing to the extent practical the state of the prior art known to the applicant, including references to specific prior art where appropriate. Where applicable, the problems involved in the prior art, which are solved by the applicant's invention, should be indicated. See also section 608.01 (a). # 608.01(d) Brief Summary of Inven- tion [R-21] Rule 73. Summary of the invention. A brief sum- mary of the invention indicating its nature and sub- stance, which may include a statement of the object of the invention, should precede the detailed description. Such summary sbould, when set forth, be commensurate with the invention as claimed and any object recited should be that of the invention as claimed. Since the purpose of the brief summary of invention is to apprise the public, and more especially those interested in the particular art to which the invention relates, of the nature of the invention, the summary should be directed to the specific invention being claimed, in con- tradistinction to mere generalities which would be equally applicable to numerous preceding patents. That is, the subject matter of the in- vention should be described in one or more clear, concise sentences or paragraphs. Stereo- typed general statements that would fit one case as well as another serve no useful purpose and may well be required to be canceled as surplusage, and. in the absence of any illumi- nating statement, replaced by statements that are directly in point as applicable exclusively to the case in hand. The brief summary, if properly written to set out the exact nature, operation and purpose of the invention will be of material assistance in aiding ready understanding of the patent in future searches. See section 905.04. The brief summary should be more than a mere state- ment of the objects of the invention, which statement is also permissible under Rule 73. The brief summary of invention should be consistent with the subject matter of the claims. Note final review of application and preparation for issue, section 1302. # 608.01(e) Reservation Clauses Not Permitted Rule 79. Reservation clauses not permitted. A res- ervation for a future application of subject matter dis- closed but not claimed In a pending application will not be permitted in the pending application, but an application disclosing unclaimed subject matter may contain a reference to a later filed application of the same applicant or owned by a common assignee dis- closing and claiming that subject matter. # 608.01 (f) Brief Description of Draw- ings Rule 74. Reference to drawings. When there are drawings, there shall be a brief description of the <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22, Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> <!-- PageHeader="608.01 (i)" --> several views of the drawings and the detailed de- scription of the invention shall refer to the different views by specifying the numbers of the figures, and to the different parts by use of reference letters or numerais (preferably the latter). The Examiner should see to it that the fig- ures are correctly described in the brief de- scription of the drawing, that all section lines used are referred to, and that all needed sec- tion lines are used. ## 608.01(g) Detailed Description of In- vention [R-22] A detailed description of the invention and drawings follows the general statement of in- vention and brief description of the drawings. This detailed description, required by Rule 71, section 608.01, must be in such particularity as to enable any person skilled in the pertinent art or science to make and use the invention without involving extensive experimentation. An ap- plicant is ordinarily permitted to use his own terminology, as long as it can be understood. Necessary grammatical corrections, however, should be required by the Examiner, but it must be remembered that an examination is not made for the purpose of securing gram- matical perfection. The reference characters must be properly applied, no single reference character being used for two different parts or for a given part and a modification of such part. In the latter case, the reference character, applied to the "given part." with a prime affixed may advan- tageously be applied to the modification. Every feature specified in the claims must be illustrated, but there should be no superfluous illustrations. The description is a dictionary for the claims and should provide clear support or antecedent basis for all terms used in the claims. See Rule 75, sections 608.01(i), 608.01(o), and 1302.01. Norr .- Completeness, section 608.01 (p). ## 608.01(h) Mode of Operation of In- vention [R-21] The best mode devised by the inventor of carrying out his invention must be set forth in the description. Current practice is to ac- cept an operative example as sufficient to meet this requirement. In chemical cases, complete data necessary for the preparation and use of at least one ex- ample of the invention should be presented. NOTE .- Completeness, section 608.01 (p). ## 608.01(i) Claims [R-22] Rule 75. Claim(s). (a) The specification must con- clude with a claim particularly pointing out and dis- tinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention or discovery. (b) More than one claim may be presented provided they differ substantially from each other and are not undoly multiplied. (c) When more than one claim is presented, they may be placed in dependent form in which a claim may refer back to and further restrict a single preced- ing claim. Claims in dependent form shall be con- strued to include all the limitations of the claim incorporated by reference into the dependent claim. (d) (1) The claim or claims must conform to the invention as set forth in the remainder of the specifica. tion and the terms and phrases used in the claims must find clear support or antecedent basis in the descrip- tion so that the meaning of the terms in the claims may be ascertainable by reference to the description. (2) See rules 141 to 147 as to claiming different inventions in one application. (e) Where the nature of the case admits, as in the case of an improvement, any independent claim should contain in the following order, (1) a preamble com- prising a general description of all the elements or steps of the claimed combination which are conven- tional or known. (2) a phrase such as "wherein the improvement comprises," and (3) those elements, steps and/or relationships which constitute that portion of the claimed combination which the applicant considers as the new or improved portion. # NOTE Numbering of Claims, § 608.01 (j). Form of Claims, § 608.01 (m). <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22, Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> <!-- PageHeader="608.01 (n)" --> Dependent claims, § 608.01(n). Examination of claims, § 706. Claims in excess of fee, § 714.10. ## 608.01(j) Numbering of Claims Rule 126. Numbering of claims. The original number- ing of the claims must be preserved throughout the prosecution. When claims are canceled, the remaining claims must not be renumbered. When claims are added, except when presented in accordance with Rule 121 (b), they must be numbered by the applicant con- secutively beginning with the number next following the highest numbered claim previously presented (whether entered or not). When the application is ready for allowance, the examiner, if necessary, will re- number the claims consecutively in the order in which they appear or in such order as may have been re- quested by applicant. In a single claim case, the claim is not num- bered. ## 608.01(k) Statutory Requirement of Claims [R-22] 35 U.S.C. 112 requires that the applicant shall particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which he regards as his invention. The portion of the application in which he does this forms the claim or claims. This is an important part of the ap- plication, as it is the definition of that for which protection is granted. ## 608.01(1) Original Claims In establishing a disclosure, applicant may rely not only on the specification and drawing as filed but also on the original claims if their content justifies it. Where subject matter not shown in the draw- ing or described in the specification is claimed in the case as filed, and such original claim itself constitutes a clear disclosure of this sub- ject matter, then the claim should be treated on its merits, and requirement made to amend the drawing and specification to show this subject matter. The claim should not be attacked either by objection or rejection because this subject matter is lacking in the drawing and specification. It is the drawing and specifica- tion that are defective; not the claim. It is of course to be understood that this dis- closure in the claim must be sufficiently specific and detailed to support the necessary amend- ment of the drawing and specification. ## 608.01 (m) Form of Claims [R-22] While there is no set statutory form for claims. the present Office practice is to insist that each claim must be the object of a sen- tence starting with "I (or we) claim" (or the equivalent). If, at the time of allowance, the quoted terminology is not present, it is inserted by the Clerk. Each claim begins with a capital letter and ends with a period. Periods may not be used elsewhere in the claims except for ab- breviations. A claim may be typed with the various elements subdivided in paragraph form. There may be plural indentations to further segregate subcombinations or related steps. In general, the printed patent copies will follow the format used but printing difficulties or ex- pense may prevent the duplication of unduly complex claim formats. Reference characters corresponding to ele- ments recited in the detailed description and the drawings may be used in conjunction with the recitation of the same element or group of ele- ments in the claims. The reference characters, however, should be enclosed within parentheses so as to avoid confusion with other numbers or characters which may appear in the claims. The use of reference characters is to be consid- ered as having no effect on the scope of the claims. Many of the difficulties encountered in the prosecution of patent applications after final rejection may be alleviated if each applicant includes, at the time of filing or no later than the first response, claims varying from the broadest to which he believes he is entitled to the most detailed that he is willing to accept. Claims should preferably be arranged in or- der of scope so that the first claim presented is the broadest. Where separate species are claimed, the claims of like species should be grouped together where possible and physically separated by drawing a line between claims or groups of claims. (Both of these provisions may not be practical or possible where several species claims depend from the same generic claim.) Similarly, product and process claims should be separately grouped. Such arrange- ments are for the purpose of facilitating classi- fication and examination. The form of claim required in Rule 75(e) is particularly adapted for the description of im- provement type inventions. It is to be con- sidered a combination claim. The preamble of this form of claim is considered to positively and clearly include all the elements or steps re- cited therein as a part of the claimed combina- tion. See Rejections not based on Prior Art $ 706.03. ## 608.01(n) Dependent Claims [R-22] Rule 75(c). reads as follows: When more than one claim is presented, they may be placed in dependent form in which a claim may refer <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22. Oct. 1909" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> 608.01 (o) back to and further restrict a single preceding cinim. Claims in dependent for shall be construed to include all the limitations of the claim incorporated by refer- ence into the dependent claim. For applications filed on or after October 25, 1965, the initial determination, for fee purposes, as to whether a claim is dependent must be made by persons other than Examiners; it is neces- sary, at that time, to accept as dependent virtu- ally every claim which refers to another claim, without determining whether there is actually a true dependent relationship. Such acceptance does not, however, preclude a subsequent hold- ing by the Examiner that a claim is not a proper dependent claim. Any claim which is in depend- ent form but which is so worded that it, in fact is not, as for example it does not include every limitation of the claim on which it depends, will be required to be canceled as not being a proper dependent claim; and cancellation of any fur- ther claim depending on such a dependent claim will be similarly required. The applicant may thereupon amend the claims to place them in proper dependent form, or may redraft them as independent claims, upon payment of any neces- sary additional fee. An essential characteristic of a proper de- pendent claim is that it shall include every limitation of the claim from which it depends (35 U.S.C. 112) or in other words that it shall not conceivably be infringed by anything which would not also infringe the basic claim. Thus, for example, if claim 1 recites the combination of elements a, b, c and d. a claim reciting the structure of claim 1 in which d was omitted or replaced by e would not be a proper dependent claim, even though it placed further limitations on the remaining elements or added still other elements. The fact that a dependent claim which is oth- erwise proper might require a separate search or be separately classified from the claim on which it depends would not render it an im- proper dependent claim, although it might result in a requirement for restriction. The fact that the independent and dependent claims are in different statutory classes does not, in itself, render the latter improper. Thus, if claim 1 recites a specific product, a claim for the method of making the product of claim 1 in a particular manner would be a proper dependent claim since it could not be infringed without in- fringing claim 1. Similarly, if claim 1 recites a method of making a product, a claim for a prod- uct made by the method of claim 1 could be a proper dependent claim. On the other hand, if claim 1 recites a method of making a specified product, a claim to the product set forth in claim I would not be a proper dependent claim if the product might be made in other ways. Note, that since Rule 75(c) requires the dependent claim to "further restrict," the preceding claim, this Rule does not apply to product-by-process claims. # CLAIM FORM AND ARRANGEMENT A dependent claim 2 could read as follows: 2\. The product of claim 1 in which A dependent claim cannot directly refer back to two or more preceding claims. For example, a claim reading as follows: 7\. A machine as specified in claims 5 or 6 (or, 5 and 6) in which is not permitted. Such a claim disguises the true number of claims, since it is in reality two claims. It is also alternative. However, a series of dependent claims is per- missible in which a dependent claim refers to a preceding claim which, in turn, refers to an- other preceding claim. A claim which depends from a dependent claim should not be separated therefrom by any claim which does not also depend from said "dependent" claim. It should be kept in mind that a dependent claim may refer back to any preceding independent claim. These are the only restrictions with respect to the sequence of claims and, in general, applicant's sequence should not be changed. See § 608.01 (j). # REJECTION AND OBJECTION If the base claim has been cancelled, a claim which is directly or indirectly dependent thereon should be rejected as incomplete. If the base claim is rejected, the dependent claim should be objected to rather than rejected, if it is otherwise allowable. Examiners are reminded that a dependent claim is directed to a combination including everything recited in the base claim and what is recited in the dependent claim. It is this com- bination that must be compared with the prior art, exactly as if it were presented as one inde- pendent claim. Dependent claims should be carefully checked when claims are renumbered (Rule 126). # 608.01(o) Basis for Claim Terminol- ogy in Description [R-22] The meaning of every term used in any of the claims should be apparent from the de- scriptive portion of the specification with clear disclosure as to its import, and in mechanical cases it should be identified in the descriptive portion of the specification by reference to the drawing, designating the part or parts therein <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22, Oct. 1960" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> <!-- PageHeader="608.01 (p)" --> to which the term applies. A term used in the claims may be given a special meaning in the description. No term may be given a meaning repugnant to the usual meaning of the term. Usually the terminology of the original claims follows the nomenclature of the specifi- cation, but sometimes in amending the claims or in adding new claims, new terms are intro- duced that do not appear in the specification. The use of a confusing variety of terms for the same thing should not be permitted. New claims and amendments to the claims already in the case should be scrutinized not only for new matter but also for new terminol- ogy. While an applicant is not limited to the nomenclature used in the application as filed. yet whenever by amendment of his claims, he departs therefrom, he should make appropriate amendment of his specification so as to have therein clear support or antecedent basis for the new terms appearing in the claims. This is necessary in order to insure certainty in con- struing the claims in the light of the specifica- tion. Ex parte Kotler 1901 C.D. 62: 95 O.G. 2684. See Rule 75, sections 608.01 (i) and 1302.01. # 608.01 (p) Completeness [R-22] Newly filed applications obviously failing to disclose an invention with the clarity required are discussed in section 702.01. A disclosure in an application, to be com- plete, must contain such description and details as to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which the invention pertains to make and use the invention. While the prior art setting may be men- tioned in general terms, the essential novelty, the essence of the invention, must be described in such details, including proportions and tech- niques where necessary, as to enable those per- sons skilled in the art to make and utilize the invention. Specific operative embodiments or examples of the invention must be set forth. Examples and description should be of sufficient scope as to justify the scope of the claims. Markush claims must be provided with support in the disclosure for each member of the Markush group. Where the constitution and formula of a chemical compound is stated only as a proba- bility or speculation, the disclosure is not suffi- cient to support claims identifying the com- pound by such composition or formula. A complete disclosure should include a state- ment of utility. This usually presents no prob- lem in mechanical cases. In chemienl cases. varying degrees of specificity are required. A disclosure involving a new chemical com- pound or composition must teach persons skilled in the art how to make the compound or composition. Incomplete teachings may not be completed by reference to subsequently filed applications. # GUIDELINES FOR CONSIDERING DISCLOSURES OF UTILITY IN DRUG CASES ## General These guidelines are set down to provide uniform handling of applications disclosing drug or pharmaceutical utility. They are in- tended to guide patent Examiners and patent applicants as to criteria for utility statements. They deal with fundamental questions and are subject to revision and amendment if future case law indicates this to be necessary. The following two basic principles shall be followed in considering matters relating to the adequacy of disclosure of utility in drug cases : (1) The same basic principles of patent law which apply in the field of chemical arts shall be applicable to drugs, and (2) The Patent Office shall confine its exam- ination of disclosure of utility to the applica- tion of patent law principles, recognizing that other agencies of the Government have been assigned the responsibility of assuring con- formance to the standards established by statute for the advertisement, use, sale or distribution of drugs.1 A drug is defined by 21 U.S.C. 321 (g) The term "drug" means (A) articles recognized in the official United States Pharmacopeia, official Homeopathic Phar- macopeia of the United States, or official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them; and (B) articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals; and (C) articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals; and (D) articles intended for use as a component of any articles specified in clause (A), (B), or (C); but does not include devices or their components, parts. or accessories. In addition, compositions adapted to be applied to or used by human beings, e.g., cosmetics, dentifrices, mouthwashes, etc., may be treated in the same manner as drugs subject to the con- ditions stated. Any proof of a stated utility or safety re- quired pursuant to these guidelines may be In re Krimmel, 48 CCPA 1116, 202 F.2d 948. 130 USPQ 215; In re Hartop et al., 50 CCPA 780, 311 F.2d 249, 135 USPQ 419. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22, Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> # MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE 608.01 (p) incorporated in the application as filed, or may be subsequently submitted by affidavit if and when required. The Patent Office, in reaching its own independent decisions on questions of utility and how to use under 35 U.S.C. 101 and 112, will continue to avail itself of assistance and information from the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare as authorized by 21 U.S.C. 372(b), when necessary. In accordance with the basic principles set forth above, the following procedures shall be followed in examining patent applications in the drug field with regard to disclosures relat- ing to utility. 35 U.S.C. 101 Utility must be definite and in currently available form,2 not merely for further investi- gation or research but commercial availability is not necessary. Mere assertions such as "thera- peutic agents,"" "for pharmaceutical pur- poses,"+ "biological activity,"$ "intermedi- ates," " and for making further unspecified preparations are regarded as insufficient. If the asserted utility of a compound is believable on its face to persons skilled in the art in view of the contemporary knowledge in the art, then the burden is upon the Examiner to give adequate support for rejections for lack of utility under this section." On the other hand, incredible statements & or statements deemed unlikely to be correct by one skilled in the art" in view of the contemporary knowledge in the art will require adequate proof on the part of applicants for patents. Proof of utility under this section may be established by clinical or in vivo or in vitro data, or combinations of these, which would be convincing to those skilled in the art.1º More particularly, if the utility relied on is directed solely to the treatment of humans, evidence of utility, if required, must generally be clinical evidence.11 although animal tests may be ade- quate where the art would accept these as appropriately correlated with human utility.12 If there is no assertion of human utility,13 or if there is an assertion of animal utility,"" oper- ativeness for use on standard test animals is adequate for patent purposes. Exceptions exist with respect to the general rule relating to the treatment of humans. For example, compositions whose properties are generally predictable from a knowledge of their components, such as laxatives, antacids and certain topical preparations, require little or no clinical proof.15 Although absolute safety is not necessary to meet the utility requirement under this section, a drug which is not sufficiently safe under the conditions of use for which it is said be be effective will not satisfy the utility require- ment.16 Proof of safety shall be required only in those cases where adequate reasons can be advanced by the Examiner for believing that the drug is unsafe, and shall be accepted if it establishes a reasonable probability of safety. ## 35 U.S.C. 112 A mere statement of utility for pharmaco- logical or chemotherapeutic purposes may raise a question of compliance with Section 112, par- ticularly ". . . as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains . . . to use the same." If the statement of utility contains within it a connotation of how to use, and/or the art recognizes that standard modes of administration are contemplated, Section 112 is satisfied." If the use disclosed is of such nature that the art is unaware of successful treatments with chemically analogous compounds, a more complete statement of how to use must be sup- plied than if such analogy were not present.18 It is not necessary to specify the dosage or method of use if it is obvious to one skilled in the art that such information could be obtained without undue experimentation.17 With respect to the adequacy of disclosure that a claimed genus possesses an asserted utility representative examples together with a statement applicable to the genus as a whole will ordinarily be sufficient if it would be deemed likely by one skilled in the art, in view of contemporary knowledge in the art, that the claimed genus would possess the asserted " Brenner v. Manson. 383 U.S. 519. 148 USPQ 689. 3 Cf. In re Lorene et al., 49 CCPA 1227. 305 F.2d 875, 134 USPQ 312 : cf. Ez parte Brockmann et al., 127 USPQ 57. \* In re Diedrich, 50 CCPA 1355, 318 F.2d 946. 138 USPQ 128\. $ In re Kirk et al .. 54 CCPA 1119, 153 CSPQ 48 : Ez parte Lanham, 135 USPQ 106. 6 In re Joly et al., 54 CCPA 1159, 153 USPQ 45 : In re Kirk rf al., 54 CCPA 1119 : 153 USPO 48. " In re Gozare, 54 CCPA 1524, 154 USPQ 92. *In re Citron, 51 CCPA 852. 325 F.2d 248. 139 USPQ 516 : In ve Oberweger, 28 CCPA 749. 115 F.2d 826. 47 USPQ 455 : Er parte Moore et al., 128 USPQ 8. "In re Ruskin. 53 CCPA 872, 854 F.2d 205, 145 USPQ 221 : In re Pottier, 54 CCPA 1293. 153 USPQ 407: In re Novak et al., 49 CCPA 1283. 306 F.2d 924. 134 USPQ 335. See also. In re Irons, 52 CCPA 938. 340 F.2d 974. 144 USPQ 351. 1º In re Trons, 52 CCPA 938. 340 F.2d 924. 144 USPQ 351 : E's parte Paschall, 98 USPQ 131 : Ex parte Pennell et al .. 99 USPQ 56 : Ex parte Ferguson, 117 USDQ 229 ; Er parte Tim- mis, 123 USPO 351. 11 Er parte Timmis. 123 USPQ 581. 12 Im re Hartop et al., 50 CCPA 780. 311 F.24 240. 135 USPQ 419 : Ex parte Murphy, 134 USPQ 134. JA Cf. Blicke v. Treves, 44 CCPA 753. 241 F.2d 718. 112 USPO 472 ; In re Krimmel, 48 CCPA 1116. 292 F.24 948. 130 USPO 215: In re Dodaon, 48 CCPA 1125, 202 F.2d 943, 130 USPQ 224 : In re Hitchings, 52 CCPA 1141, 342 F.24 80. 144 USPQ 687. 11 In re Berget et al., 48 CCPA 1102. 292, F.2d 955, 130 USPO 206 : Er parte Melvin, 155 USPQ 47. 15 Er parte Harriann et al., 129 USPQ 172 ; Er parte Lewin, 140 USPQ 70. 1 In pe Hartop et al., 50 CCPA 780. 311 F.2 249, 135 USPO 419. 1; Cf. In ve Johnson, 48 CCPA 733. 282 F.24 870. 127 I'SPQ 216 : In re Hitchings et al., 52 CCPA 1141. 342 F.2d SO, 144 CSPQ 437. #*In ve Mouree et al., 52 CCPA 1363, 345 F.2d 595, 145 T:SPQ 452 : In ve Schmidt et al., 54 CCPA 1577. 153 USPO 640. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22. Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONSENT OF APPLICATION" --> 608.01(p) utility.1º Proof of utility will be required for other members of the claimed genus only in those cases where adequate reasons can be ad- vanced by the Examiner for believing that the genus as a whole does not possess the asserted utility. Conversely, a sufficient number of repre- sentative examples, if disclosed in the prior art will constitute a disclosure of the genus to which they belong. In the case of mixtures including a drug as an ingredient, or mixtures which are drugs, or methods of treating a specific condition with a drug, whether old or new, a specific example should ordinarily be set forth, which should include the organism treated. In appropriate cases, such an example may be inferred from the disclosure taken as a whole and/or the knowledge in the art (e.g., gargle). Where the claimed compounds are capable of several different utilities and one use is ade- quately described in accordance with these guidelines, additional utilities will be investi- gated for compliance with Sections 101 and 112 only if not believable on their face to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the con- temporary knowledge of the art. Failure to meet these standards may result in a require- ment to cancel such additional utilities.2º ## INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE An application for a patent may incorporate "essential material" by reference to (1) a United States patent, or (2) an allowed U.S. applica- tion, subject to the conditions set forth below. "Essential material" is defined as that which is necessary to (1) support the claims, or (2) for adequate disclosure of the invention (35 U.S.C. 112). "Essential material" may not be incorpo- rated by reference to (1) patents issued by for- eign countries, to (2) nonpatent publications, or to (3) a patent or application which itself in- corporates "essential material" by reference. Nonessential subject matter may be incor- porated by reference to (1) patents issued by the United States or foreign countries, (2) prior filed, commonly owned U.S. applications or (3) nonpatent publications, for purposes of indicat- ing the background of the invention or illustrat- ing the state of the art. The referencing application must include (1) an abstract, (2) a brief summary of the inven- tion, (3) an identification of the referenced patent or application, (4) at least one view in the drawing in those applications admitting of a drawing, and (5) one or more claims. Where appropriate it would be advisable to direct par- ticular attention to specific portions of the referenced patent or application. If an application is filled with a complete dis- closure, essential material may be cancelled by amendment and the same material substituted by reference to a patent or a pending and com- monly owned allowed application in which the issue fee has been paid. The amendment must be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration executed by the applicant or his attorney or agent of record stating that the material can- celled from the application is the same material that has been incorporated by reference. If an application incorporates essential ma- terial by reference to a U.S. patent or a pending and commonly owned allowed U.S. application for which the issue fee has been paid, applicant will be required prior to examination to furnish the Patent Office with a copy of the referenced material together with an affidavit or declara- tion executed by the applicant or his attorney or agent of record stating that the copy consists of the same material incorporated by reference in the referencing application. If an application incorporates essential ma- terial by reference to a pending and commonly owned application other than one in issue with the fee paid, applicant will be required prior to examination to amend the disclosure of the referencing application to include the material incorporated by reference. The amendment must be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration executed by the applicant or his attorney or agent of record stating that the amendatory material consists of the same material incorpo- rated by reference in the referencing appli- cation. The filing date of any application wherein essential material is incorporated by reference to a foreign patent or to a publication will not be affected because of the presence of such refer- ence. In such a case, as well as any other case which improperly incorporates essential ma- terial by reference, the applicant will be re- quired to amend the disclosure to include the material incorporated by reference. The amend- ment must be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration executed by the applicant, or his attorney or agent of record, stating that the amendatory material consists of the same ma- terial incorporated by reference in the referenc- ing application. Reliance upon a copending application by a different inventor may not ordinarily be made for the purpose of completing the disclosure. Since a disclosure must be complete as of the filing date, subsequent publications or subse- 19 In re Oppenauer, 31 CCPA 1248. 143 F.2d 974. 62 USPQ 297 : In re Cavallito et al., 48 CCPA 711. 282 F.2d 357, 127 USPO 202 : In re Cavallito et al., 48 CCPA 720. 282 F.2d 363. 127 USPQ 206 : In re Schmidt, 48 CCPA 1140. 293 F.2d 274. 130 USPQ 404 : In re Cavallito, 49 CCPA 1335. 306 F.2d 505. 134 USPQ 370 : In re Surrey, 54 CCPA 855. 370 F.2d 349. 151 USPQ 724 : In re Lund et al .. 54 CCPA 1361. 153 USPQ 625. " Ex parte Lanham, 121 USPO 223 : Ex parte Moore et al., 128 USPQ 8: In re Citron, 51 CCPA 852. 325 F.24 248. 139 USPQ 516 ; In re Gottlieb et al., 51 CCPA 1114. 328 F.2d 1016. 140 USPQ 665. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22. Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> 608.01 (q) <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> quently filed applications cannot be relied upon to establish a constructive reduction to prac- tice. NOTE .- For problems arising from the desig- nation of materials by trademarks and trade names, see section 608.01 (v). # 608.01(q) Substitute or Rewritten Specification [R-20] Rule 125. Substitute specification. If the number or nature of the amendments shall render it difficult to consider the case, or to arrange the papers for printing or copying, the examiner may require the entire speci- fication or claims, or any part thereof, to be rewritten. A substitute specification will ordinarily not be ac- cepted unless it has been required by the examiner. The specification is sometimes in such faulty English that a new specification is necessary. but new specifications cumber the record and require additional reading, and hence should not be required or accepted except in extreme cases. A substitute specification that has not been required. and is not needed, is not entered. See section 714.20. New matter in amendment, see section 608.04. Application prepared for issue, see section 1302.02. # 608.01(r) Derogatory Remarks About Prior Art in Speci- fication The applicant may refer to the general state of the art and the advance thereover made by his invention, but he is not permitted to make derogatory remarks concerning the inventions of others. # 608.01 (s) Restoration of Canceled Matter [R-20] Canceled text in the specification or a can- celed claim can be restored only by presenting the cancelled matter as a new insertion. See Rule 124, section 714.24. # 608.01 (t) Use in Subsequent Applica- tion [R-20] A reservation for a future application of subject matter disclosed but not claimed in a pending application will not be permitted in the pending application. Rule 79, section 608.01 (e). While a specification cannot be transferred to another application, except to a streamlined continuation application (see section 201.07), drawings may be transferred from a prior ap- plication to a later case by the same inventor, note sections 608.02(i) to 608.02(1). # 608.01 (u) Use of Formerly Filed In- complete Application [R-20] Parts of an incomplete application which have been retained by the Office may be used as part of a complete application if the missing parts are later supplied. See sections 506 and 506.01. # 608.01(v) Trademarks and Names Used in Trade [R-16] The expressions "trademarks" and "names used in trade" as used below have the follow- ing meanings: Trademark: a word, letter, symbol or device adopted by one manufacturer or merchant and used to identify and distinguish his product from those of others. It is a proprietary word pointing distinctly to the product of one pro- ducer. Names Used in Trade: a nonproprietary name by which an article or product is known <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 22, Oct. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> 608.02 <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> and called among traders or workers in the art, although it may not be so known by the public generally. Names used in trade do not point to the product of one producer, but they iden- tify a single article or product irrespective of producer. Names used in trade are permissible in pat- ent applications if: (1) Their meanings are established by an accompanying definition which is sufficiently precise and definite to be made a part of a claim, or (2) In this country, their meanings are well known and satisfactorily defined in the litera- ture. Condition (1) or (2) must be met at the time of filing of the complete application. ## TRADEMARKS The relationship between & trademark and the product it identifies is sometimes indefinite, uncertain and arbitrary. The formula or char- acteristics of the product may change from time to time and yet it may continue to be sold under the same trademark. In patent specifi- cations, every element or ingredient of the product should be set forth in positive, exact, intelligible language, so that there will be no uncertainty as to what is meant. Arbitrary trademarks which are liable to mean different things at the pleasure of manufacturers do not constitute such language. However, if the product to which the trade- mark refers is otherwise set forth in such lan- guage that its identity is clear the Examiners are authorized to permit the use of the trade- mark if it is distinguished from common de- scriptive nouns by capitalization. If the trade- mark has a fixed and definite meaning it con- stitutes sufficient identification unless some physical or chemical characteristic of the article or material is involved in the invention. In that event as also in those cases where the trademark has no fixed and definite meaning, identification by scientific or other explanatory language is necessary. Where the identification of a trademark is introduced by amendment it must be restricted to the characteristics of the product known at the time the application was filed to avoid any question of new matter. If proper identification of the product sold under a trademark, or a product referred to only by a name used in trade, is omitted from the specification and such identification is deemed necessary under the principles set forth above, the Examiner should hold the disclosure insufficient and reject on the ground of insuf- ficient disclosure any claims based on the identification of the product merely by trade- mark or by the name used in trade. If the product cannot be otherwise defined, an amend- ment defining the process of its manufacture may be permitted. Such amendments must be supported by satisfactory showings establish- ing that the specific nature or process of manu- facture of the product as set forth in the amendment was known at the time of filing of the application. Although the use of trademarks having defi- nite meanings is permissible in patent ap- plications, the proprietary nature of the marks should be respected and every effort made to prevent their use in any manner which might adversely affect their validity as trademarks. The Examiner should not permit the use of language such as "the product X (a descrip- tive name) commonly known as Y (trade- mark)" since such language does not bring out the fact that the latter is a trademark. Language such as "the product X (a descrip- tive name) sold under the trademark Y" is permissible. The use of a trademark in the title of an application should be avoided as well as the use of a trademark coupled with the word "type"; i.e., "Band-Aid type bandage." Examiners should send a copy of all trade- mark misuse complaint letters to the editor of this manual. See appendix I for a partial listing of trade- marks and the particular goods to which they apply [R-21] 608.02 Drawing [R-21] 35 U.S.C. 115. Drawings. When the nature of the case admits, the applicant shall furnish a drawing. Rule 81. Drawings required. The applicant for pat- ent is required by statute to furnish a drawing of his invention whenever the nature of the case admits of it; this drawing must be filled with the application. Illustrations facilitating an understanding of the in- vention (for example, flow sheets in cases of processes, and diagrammatic views) may also be furnished in the same manner as drawings and may be required by the Office when considered necessary or desirable. Rule 84. Standards for drawings. The complete draw- ing is printed and published when the patent issues, and a copy is attached to the patent. This work is done by the photolithographie process, the sheets of draw- ings being reduced about one-third in size. In addition, a reduction of a selected portion of the drawings of each application is published in the Official Gazette. It is therefore necessary for these and other reasons <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 21, July 1960" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> that the character of each drawing be brought ae noerly as possible to a uniform standard of execution and excellence, suited to the requirements of the reproduc- tion process and of the use of the drawings to give the best results in the interests of Inventors, of the Office. and of the public. The following regulations with re- spect to drawings are accordingly prescribed : (a) Paper and ink. Drawings must be made upon pure white paper of a thickness corresponding to two- ply or three-ply bristol board. The surface of the paper must be calendered and smooth and of a quality which will permit erasure and correction. India ink alone must be used for pen drawings to secure perfectly black solid lines. The use of white pigment to cover lines is not acceptable. (b) Size of sheet and margins. The size of a sheet on which a drawing is made must be exactly 10 by 15 inches. One inch from its edges a single marginal line is to be drawn, leaving the "sight" precisely 8 by 13 inches. Within this margin all work must be included. One of the shorter sides of the sheet is regarded as its top, and, measuring down from the marginal line, a space of not less than 11/4 inches is to be left blank for the heading of title, name, number, and date, which will be applied subsequently by the Office in a uniform style. (c) Character of lines. All drawings must be made with drafting instruments or by photolithographic process which will give them satisfactory reproduction characteristics. Every line and letter ( signatures in- cluded) must be absolutely black. This direction applies to all lines however fine, to shading, and to lines rep- resenting cut surfaces in sectional views. All lines must be clean, sharp, and solid, and fine or crowded lines should be avoided. Solid black should not be used for sectional or surface shading. Freehand work should be avoided wherever it is possible to do so. (d) Hatching and shading. (1) Hatching should be made by oblique parallel lines, which may be not less than about one-twentieth inch apart. (2) Heavy lines on the shade side of objects should be used except where they tend to thicken the work and obscure reference characters. The light should come from the upper left hand corner at an angle of 45°. Surface delineations should be shown by proper shading, which should be open. (c) Scale. The scale to which a drawing is made ought to be large enough to show the mechanism with- cut crowding when the drawing is reduced in repro- duction, and views of portions of the mechanism on a larger scale should be used when necessary to show details clearly ; two or more sheets should be used if one does not give sufficient room to accomplish this end. but the number of sheets should not be more than is necessary. (f) Reference characters. The different views should be consecutively numbered figures. Reference numerals (and letters, but numerals are preferred) must be plain, legible and carefully formed, and not be encir- cled. They should, if possible, measure at least one- alabth of an inch in height so that they may bear reduction to one twenty-fourth of an inch; and they may be slightly larger when there is sufficient room. They must not be so placed in the close and complex parts of the drawing as to interfere with a thorough comprehension of the same, and therefore should rarely cross or mingle with the lines. When necessarily grouped around a certain part. they should be placed at a little distance, at the closest point where there is available space, and connected by lines with the parts to which they refer. They should not be placed upon hatched or shaded surfaces but when necessary, a blank space may be left in the batching or shading where the character occurs so that it shall appear perfectly dis- tinct and separate from the work. The same part of an invention appearing in more than one view of the drawing must always be designated by the same char- acter, and the same character must never be used to designate different parts. (g) Symbols, legends. Graphical drawing symbols and other labeled representations may be used for con- ventional elements when appropriate, subject to ap- proval by the Office. The elements for which such symbols and labeled representations are used must be adequately identified in the specification. While descrip- tive matter on drawings is not permitted, suitable legends may be used, or may be required, in proper cases, as in diagrammatic views and flowsheets or to show materials or where labeled representations are employed to illustrate conventional elements. Arrows may be required, in proper cases, to show direction of movement. The lettering should be as large as, or larger than, the reference characters. (h) Location of signature and names. The signature of the applicant or the name of the applicant and signa- ture of the attorney or agent, may be placed in the lower right-hand corner of each sheet within the mar- ginal line, or may be placed below the lower marginal line. (i) Views. The drawing must contain as many fig- ures as may be necessary to show the invention; the figures should be consecutively numbered if possible In the order in which they appear. The figures i ay be plan. elevation, section, or perspective views, and de- tail views of portions or elements, on a larger scale if necessary, may also be used. Exploded views, with the separated parts of the same figure embraced by a bracket, to show the relationship or order of assembly of various parts are permissible. When necessary, a view of a large machine or device in its entirety may be broken and extended over several sheets if there is no loss in facility of understanding the view (the different parts should be identified by the same figure number but followed by the letters. a. b. c. etc., for each part). The plane upon which a sectional view is taken should be indicated on the general view by a broken line, the ends of which should be designated by numer- als corresponding to the figure number of the sectional view and have arrows applied to indicate the direction in which the view is taken. A moved position may be <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 21, July 1900" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="608.02" --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> shown by a broken line superimposed upon a suitable figure if this can be done without crowding. otherwise a separate figure must be used for this purpose. Modi- fied forms of construction can only be shown in sep- arate figures. Views should not be connected by projec- tion lines nor should centerlines be used. (j) Arrangement of views, All views on the same sheet must stand in the same direction and should, if possible, stand so that they can be read with the sheet held in an upright position. If views longer than the width of the sheet are necessary for the clearest illus- tration of the invention, the sheet may be turned on its side. The space for a heading must then be reserved at the right and the signatures placed at the left, occu- pying the same space and position on the sheet as in the upright views and being horizontal when the sheet is held in an upright position. One figure must not be placed upon another or within the outline of another. (k) Figure for Official Gazette. The drawing should, as far as possible, be so planned that one of the views will be suitable for publication in the Official Gazette as the illustration of the invention. (1) Ertrancous matter. An agent's or attorney's stamp, or address, or other extraneous matter, will not be permitted upon the face of a drawing, within or without the marginal line, except that the title of the invention and identifying indicia, to distinguish from other drawings filed at the same time, may be placed below the lower margin. (m) Transmission of drawings. Drawings transmit- ted to the Office should be sent flat, protected by a sheet of heavy binder's board, or may be rolled for transmisison in a suitable mailing tube : but must never be folded. If received creased or mutilated, new draw- ings will be required. (See rule 152 for design draw- ings, 165 for plant drawings, and 174 for reissue drawings.) Rule 86. Draftsman to make drawings. (a) Appli- cants are advised to employ competent draftsmen to make their drawings. (b) The Office may furnish the drawings at the ap- plicant's expense as promptly as its draftsmen can make them, for applicants who cannot otherwise con- veniently procure them. (See rule 21.) A booklet "Guide for Patent Draftsmen" is available from the Superintendent of Docu- ments, U.S. Government Printing Office, Wash- ington, D.C. 20402, price 30 cents. Design patent drawings, Rule 152, section 1503.02. Plant patent drawings, Rule 165, section 1606. Reissue application drawings, sections 608.02(k) and 1401.05. Each sheet of drawing must bear the "Ap- proved" stamp of the Draftsman before the application is allowed. The Record Section of the Patent Reference Branch has charge of the drawings in patented cases, Canceled sheets, however, are not re- tained with the patented drawings but are filed with the abandoned files and drawings in the Abandoned Files Unit. See: Correction of drawings, section 608.02(p). Prints, preparation and distribution, sections 508 and 608.02(m). Prints, Return of drawing, section 608.02(y). Signature to the drawing is treated in section 605.04(h). For pencil notations of classification and name or initials of assistant Examiner to be placed on drawings see section 717.03. The filing of a divisional case under the provisions of the second sentence of Rule 147 (unexecuted case), does not obviate the need for formal Bristol board drawings. Ordi- narily, prints of the original formal drawings will suffice for examination. See section 608.02 (b). ## APPLICATIONS FILED WITHOUT DRAWINGS Applications filed without drawing are ini- tially inspected to determine whether or not a drawing, under the statute, is necessary be- fore the applicant can be given a filing date. Doubtful cases are referred to the Group Director for decision as to the need for such a drawing. It has long been the practice to accept a process case (that is, a case having only process or method claims) which is filed without a drawing. The same practice has been followed in composition cases. Other situa- tions where drawings are usually not consid- ered essential for a filing date are : I. Coated articles or products. Where the invention resides solely in coating or impreg- nating a conventional sheet, e.g., paper or cloth, or an article of known and conventional character with a particular composition, the application containing claims to the coated or impregnated sheet or article, unless significant details of structure or arrangement are in- volved in the article claims. II. Articles made from a particular mate- rial or composition. Where the invention con- sists in making an article of a particular mate- rial or composition, unless significant details of structure or arrangement are involved in the article claims. III. Laminated structures. Where the claimed invention involves only laminations of sheets (and coatings) of specified material un- less significant details of structure or arrange- ment (other than the mere order of the layers) are involved in the article claims. IV. Articles, apparatus or systems where sole distinguishing feature is presence of a par- ticular material. Where the invention resides solely in the use of a particular material in an <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 21, July 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="608.02" --> <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> otherwise old article, apparatus or system re- cited broadly in the claims; for example, a. Hydraulic system distinguished solely by the use therein of a particular hydraulic fluid; 8. Packaged sutures wherein the structure and arrangement of the package are conven- tional and the only distinguishing feature is the use of a particular fluid. ## ILLUSTRATION SUBSEQUENTLY REQUIRED The acceptance of an application without a drawing does not preclude the Examiner from requiring an illustration in the form of a drawing under the second sentence of Rule 81. In requiring such a drawing, the Examiner should clearly indicate that the requirement is made under the second sentence of Rule 81, and be careful not to state that he is doing so "because the nature of the case admits" of a drawing, as that might give rise to an erro- neous impression as to the completeness of the application when filed. Examiners making such requirements are to specifically require, as a part of the applicant's next response, at least an ink sketch or permanent print of any draw- ing proposed in response to the requirement, even though no allowable subject matter is yet indicated. This will afford the Examiner an early opportunity to determinee the sufficiency of the illustration and the absence of new mat- ter. See Rule 118. The description should of course be amended to contain reference to the new illustration. This may obviate further correspondence where an amendment places the case in condition for allowance, except for the formal requirement relating to the drawing. In the event of a final determination that there is nothing patentable in the case, the sketch and authorization for entry will not be forwarded to the Drafting Branch. # PHOTOGRAPHS Clearly, photographs are not drawings. Photographs are not acceptable for a filing date nor for any purpose except as exhibits unless they come within the special categories set forth in the paragraph immediately below. Photolithographs of photographs and photo- graphs mounted on proper size Bristol board are never acceptable. See In re Taggart et al., 1957 C.D. 6; 725 O.G. 397 and In re Myers, 1959 C.D. 2; 738 O.G. 947. # SPECIAL CATEGORIES The Patent Office is willing to accept black and white photographs or photomicrographs (not photolithographs or other reproductions of photographs) printed on sensitized paper in lieu of India ink drawings, to illustrate inven- <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 21, July 1909" --> <!-- PageBreak --> 608.02(a) <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> tions which are incapable of being accurately or adequately depicted by India ink drawings, restricted to the following categories: crystal- line structures, metallurgical microstructures, textile fabrics, grain structures and ornamen- tal effects. The photographs or photomicro- graphs must show the invention more clearly than they can be done by India ink drawings and otherwise comply with the Rules concern- ing drawings. Such photographs to be acceptable must be made on photographic paper having the fol- lowing characteristics which are generally rec- ognized in the photographic trade: double weight paper with a surface described as smooth ; tint, white. If the drawings are informal, but may be admitted for examination purposes the Drafts- man indicates on 3-part form, PO-948, what the informalities are and whether they can be cor- rected or whether new drawings are required. In either case the drawings are accepted as satis- fying the requirements of Rule 51. The draw- ings, after being microfilmed, are then returned to the Application Branch to which Branch form PO-948 is also sent for insertion in the appropriate application. # NOTIFYING APPLICANT The Examiners are directed to advise the applicants (see section 707.07(a) ) in the first Office action of the conditions which render the drawing informal, and when indicated, that such drawings can be corrected so as to be ac- ceptable, but will not, in any case, require new drawings because of their execution unless the necessity therefore shall have been indicated by the Head of the Drafting Branch. As soon as allowable subject matter is found, the requirement for new drawings should be insisted upon. Before writing the action, the Drafting Branch should be consulted to ascer- tain if, at that time, the new drawing could be prepared by the Patent Office on request and, if so, the estimate of cost should be included in the action. Otherwise, the action should state: "Applicant is advised to employ the serv- ices of a competent patent draftsman out- side the Office, as the Drafting Branch of the Patent Office does not have the facilities at the present time, for preparing new drawings". This procedure, by avoiding a fruitless request to have the Drafting Branch prepare the new drawing, will promote earlier issuance of the patent. # WAIVING OF CORRECTIONS The Draftsman has relaxed certain of the fine detail requirements of the drawings. In order to eliminate unnecessary require- ments for drawing corrections, especially in applications filed prior to January 1965, the Examiner should inspect the drawing and, in the event that any of the following objections made by the Draftsman appear in the Exam- iner's opinion to be of a waivable nature, should consult the Draftsman to ascertain whether the objection (s) can be waived instead of requiring applicant to make correction : (1) Lead lines too long. (2) Heavy shade lines required. (3) Hatching required. (4) Lines rough and blurred. (5) Pale lines (if the prints indicate the lines reproduce sufficiently ). (6) Poor paper (if drawing is otherwise acceptable). The following objections if made by the Draftsman must be corrected and cannot be waived : (1) Space for heading required. (2) Ink drawings required. (3) Paper undersize. (4) Signature on wrong end of sheet. (5) Insufficient margin. (6) Borderline not in ink. # ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATION If there is only one figure, it should not be designated "Fig. 1." The Examiner may re- quire additional drawings for the purpose of illustrating the disclosure. When a necessary additional illustration is small and may be added to the drawings on file, an additional sheet of drawing should not be required, but the Examiner will ask that the proposed illustration be shown in a sketch, which showing will be transferred to one of the sheets of the drawings. For the handling of additional, duplicate, or substitute drawings, see section 608.02(h). [R-20] # 608.02(a) New Drawing -- When Re- quired [R-20] ## PHOTOPRINTS AS DRAWINGS If photoprints are submitted with a new case in lieu of formal drawings and such prints are not only readable but reproducible, the Appli- cation Branch notifies applicant that the case is accepted for filing only and that, to be entitled to examination, formal drawings complying with Rule 84 must be filed within 60 days from the date of the letter of notification. The for- <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 20, Apr. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> # MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE 608.02(b) mal drawings when received are compared with the prints for identity of disclosure. The com- parison charge is $10 per hour or fraction thereof per application. The papers filed and the responsibility for processing will remain with the Application Branch until the correct filing date has been finally established. The Draftsman is the judge of drawings, as to the execution of the same, and the arrange- ment of the views thereon, while the Examiner is the judge as to the sufficiency of the showing. The drawings, upon receipt of an application, are sent from the Application Branch to be in- spected by the Draftsman. If satisfactory, he stamps on each sheet "Approved by Drafts- man." See also section 608.02. # 608.02 (b) Informal Drawings [R- 20] Rule 85. Informal drawings. The requirements of rule 84 relating to drawings will be strictly enforced. A drawing not executed in conformity thereto may be admitted for purpose of examination, but in such case the drawing must be corrected or a new one furnished, as required. The necessary corrections will be made by the Office upon applicant's request and at his ex- pense. (See rule 21.) In instances where the drawing is such that the prosecution can be carried on without the corrections, applicant is informed of the reasons why the drawing is objected to, and that the drawing is admitted for examination purposes only (see section 707.07 (a) ). To be fully re- sponsive, an amendment must include a request for drawing corrections when there is an indica- tion of allowable subject matter. See Rule 111 (b). # 608.02 (c) Drawings or Print Kept in Examining Group [R-20] The photocopies of the drawings must always be kept on top of the papers on the right of the file wrapper so as to be visible upon opening the wrapper and easily detached. This photo- copy (or "print") is placed in the drawing cabinet when the corresponding drawing is re- moved during prosecution. No application should be sent to issue or to abandoned files unless the original drawing, if any, accompanies it. # 608.02(d) Complete Illustration in Drawings Rule 83. Content of drawing. (a) The drawing must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. However, conventional features disclosed in the description and claims, where their detailed illustration is not essential for a proper understanding of the inven- tion, should be Illustrated in the drawing in the form of a graphical drawing symbol or a labeled representation (e.g. a labeled rectangular box). (b) When the invention consists of an improvement on an old machine the drawing must when possible exhibit, in one or more views, the improved portion itself, disconnected from the old structure, and also in another view, so much only of the old structure as will suffice to show the connection of the invention therewith. Likewise, any structural detail that is of sufficient importance to be described should be shown in the drawing. (Ex parte Good, 1911 C.D. 43; 164 O.G. 739.) # 608.02(e) Examiner Determines Completeness of Drawings The Examiner should see to it that the fig- ures are correctly described in the brief de- scription of the specification and that the reference characters are properly applied. no single reference character being used for two different parts or for a given part and a modi- fication of such part. Every feature covered by the claims must be illustrated, but there should be no superfluous illustrations. # 608.02 (f) Modifications in Drawings Modifications may not be shown in broken lines on figures which show in solid lines another form of the invention. Ex parte Badger, 1901 C.D. 195; 97 O.G. 1596. All modifications described must be illus- trated, or the text canceled. (Ex parte Peck, 1901 C.D. 136; 96 O.G. 2409.) This require- ment does not apply to a mere reference to minor variations nor to well-known and con- ventional parts. # 608.02(g) Illustration of Prior Art Figures showing the prior art are usually un- necessary and should be canceled. Ex parte Elliott, 1904 C.D. 103; 109 O.G. 1337. How- ever, where needed to understand applicant's invention. they may be retained if designated by a legend such as "Prior Art." # 608.02(h) Additional, Duplicate or Substitute Drawings [R- 20] When an amendment is filed stating that at the same time substitute or additional sheets of drawings are filed and such drawings have not been transmitted to the Examining Group. the docket clerk in the Examining Group <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 20. Apr. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> <!-- PageHeader="608.02(i)" --> should call the Application Branch before en- tering the amendment to ascertain if the draw- ing was not received. In the next communica- tion of the Examiner the applicant is notified if the drawings have not been received. Additional and substitute drawings are routed through the Drafting Branch where any defects in execution will be noted. If there are none, they will be stamped, "APPROVED BY DRAFTSMAN". When such drawings are considered by the Examiner, it should be kept in mind that the "APPROVED" stamp applies only to the size and quality of paper, lines rough and blurred and other details of execution. The Examiner should not overlook such factors as new matter, the necessity for the additional sheets and consistency with other sheets. Clerks will routinely "enter" all additional and sub- stitute sheets on the file wrapper. If the Exam- iner decides that the sheets should not be entered, applicant is so informed, giving the reasons. The entries made by the Clerk will be marked "(N.E.)". If an additional sheet of drawing is con- sidered unnecessary and the original drawing requires alterations which are taken care of in the proffered additional sheet, the latter may be used in lieu of the usual sketch required in making the correction of the original drawing. For return of drawing, see section 608.02 (y). ## 608.02(i) Transfer of Drawings From Prior Applications [R- 20] Rule 88. Use of old drawings. If the drawings of a new application are to be identical with the drawings of a previous application of the applicant on file in the Office, or with part of such drawings, the old draw- ings or any sheets thereof may be used if the prior application is, or is about to be, abandoned, or if the sheets to be used are cancelled in the prior applica- tion. The new application must be accompanied by a letter requesting the transfer of the drawings, which should be completely identified. Formal transfer of drawings between appli- cations under Rule 88 are processed in the Ex- amining Groups unless the later filed case is a newly submitted application that has not been forwarded to an Examining Group. Transfer of all drawings from a first pending application to another will be made only after the first application has been abandoned. ## NEWLY SUBMITTED APPLICATION The transfer of drawings to newly submitted applications that have not been forwarded to the Examining Group will be effected by the Application Branch if the application is other- wise entitled to receive a filing date. A new application filed without drawings but having a request for transfer of drawings from a pend- ing application must be accompanied by a writ- ten declaration of abandonment under Rule 138. In order to insure copendency, such an abandon- ment may be worded as to become effective only after the transfer of the drawings has taken place. Since the drawings will be transferred from the earlier application to the new applica- tion as of the filing date of the new application, it is not necessary to submit or order photoprints for the new application. The above practice applies to transfer of drawings from any application except where the issue fee has been paid, in which case an express abandonment (Rule 138) must be filed together with a showing why the proposed ac- tion was not taken earlier. See Rule 313. The name of the attorney on the drawing being transferred is not changed. See section 608.02 (u). When an application becomes a patent, any canceled sheet of drawing then in the case is sent to the abandoned files. Such canceled sheet is available for applicant's use in another application directed to its subject matter. It follows that, except as provided in Rule 174, drawings printed in a patent may not be trans- ferred to a subsequent case. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 20. Apr. 1969" --> <!-- PageBreak --> 608.02(1) <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> # 608.02(j) Transfer of Canceled Sheets of Drawings to Divi- sional Application In the case of a divisional application, if the drawing and descriptive matter pertaining thereto have been canceled from the parent case, the canceled sheet or sheets of drawing may be withdrawn and used as the original drawing of the divisional case. The sheets in- volved should be taken to the Drafting Branch for erasure of the "CANCEL per" stamp. # 608.02(k) Transfer of Drawings to Reissue Extract from Rule 174. The drawings upon which the original patent was issued may be used in reissue applications if no changes whatsoever are to be made in the drawings. In such cases, when the reissue ap- plication is filed, the applicant must submit a tempo- rary drawing which may consist of a copy of the printed drawings of the patent or a photoprint of the original drawings securely mounted by pasting on sheets of drawing board of the size required for original draw- Ing, or an order for the same. In a reissue application, the prints of the original or patented drawing may be used for examination purposes, and the formal transfer of the original drawing to the reissue applica- tion made when the reissue application is ready for issue, provided no change whatever, even so much as the priming of a reference character, or correction of an obvious error, is made in the drawing. If there is to be any change whatsoever in the drawing, a new drawing for the reissue must be filed. If there is more than one sheet of original drawing, a required change on any sheet will preclude the use of the original drawings which must be kept in the condition existing at the time of issue of the original patent. See 1401.05. Transfer of the drawing is made as forth in 608.02(i), notation thereof being entered on the file wrapper of the original application. # 608.02(1) Transfer of Drawings Made But Abandonment Delayed Under the old policy, transfer of drawings was permitted with a letter of abandonment being filed at a later time or allowing the earlier filed application to become abandoned. In ap- plications which have had their drawings trans- ferred under this old policy and have not been abandoned by the time it is normally taken up for action, a letter limited to the following statement should be written therein by the examiner : "In view of the transfer on _ of the draw- (date) ings from this application to application Serial No. .. , pursuant to applicant's request under Rule 88 and the intention to abandon this ap- plication, the filing of the express abandonment of the instant application is required. A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR RESPONSE TO THIS ACTION IS SET TO EXPIRE THIRTY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS LETTER. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 12, Apr. 1967" --> <!-- PageBreak --> 608.02(m) <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> ## 608.02(m) Prints Preparation and distribution of prints is dis- cussed in 508. Photographic prints are made of the draw- ings of an acceptable application. Prints of the drawings as filed are entered in the appli- cation, given a paper number and kept on top of the papers on the right side of the file wrapper, see 717.01 (b). All prints and inked sketches subsequently filed to be part of the record are endorsed with the date of their receipt in the office and given their appropriate paper number. The print being thus an official paper in the record should not be marked or in any way altered. The Bristol board drawing, of course, should not be marked up by the Examiner. Where, as in an electrical wiring case, it is desirable, to identify the various circuits by different colors, or in any more or less com- plex case, it is advantageous to apply legends. arrows or other indicia, an additional print for such use should be ordered by the Examiner and placed unofficially in the file. Prints remain in the file at all times except as provided in 608.02(c). # 608.02(n) Duplickie Prints in Patent- ability Report Cases In Patentability Report cases having draw- ings, the Examiner to whom the case is as- signed will obtain a duplicate set of prints of the drawing for filing in the group to which the case is referred. When a case that has had Patentability Re- port prosecution, is passed for issue or becomes abandoned, notification of this fact will at once be given by the group having jurisdiction of the case to each group that submitted a P. R. The Examiner of each such reporting group will note the date of allowance or abandonment on his duplicate set of prints. At such time as these prints become of no value to the report- ing group, they may be destroyed. ## 608.02(o) Dates Entered on Drawing The Mail Branch stamp and the "Corrected" stamp applied by the Drafting Branch are im - pressed on the back of the drawings. The only date entered on the front of the drawings is the date of mailing of the Notice of Allowance, which is done by the Issue and Gazette Branch. Under current practice, the Clerk of the Examining Group does NOT enter any date when the case is "sent to issue". Approval of the Drafting Branch is indicated by a legend associated with the "O.G. Fig. CI. ... Sub .... " stamp on the front of each un- canceled sheet. ### 608.02(p) Correction of Drawings Rule 123. Amendments to the drawing. (a) No change in the drawing may be made except by permis- sion of the Office. Permissible changes in the con- struction shown in any drawing may be made only by the Office. A sketch in permanent ink showing pro- posed changes, to become part of the record, must be filed. The paper requesting amendments to the draw- ing should be separate from other papers. The draw- ing may not be withdrawn from the Office except for signature. (b) Substitute drawings will not ordinarily be ad- mitted in any case unless required by the Office. NOTE .- Correction is deferrable, see 608.02 (b), correction at allowance and issue, see 608.02(w) and 1302.05. A canceled figure may be reinstated. An amendment should be made to the specification adding the brief description. ### 608.02(q) Conditions Precedent to Amendment of Drawing Correction and alterations in the disclosure of the drawings of a pending application may be made only under the supervision of, or by the Chief Draftsman. No alterations as above indicated will be permitted unless required by an Examiner's letter in each case, or proposed in writing by applicant or his attorney. In either case the alterations or corrections as indicated in the sketches filed after the requirement by the Examiner, or with the request of the applicant or his attorney receive the written approval of the Examiner before the case is sent to the Chief Draftsman. NOTE .- Disposition of Orders for Amend- . ment of Drawing, 608.02(x). <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 12, Apr. 1967" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="608.02 (v)" --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> ### 608.02(r) Separate Letter to Drafts- Any request by the applicant for amendment of the drawing to cure defects must be em- bodied in a separate letter for the Chief Draftsman. Otherwise the case, unless in other respects ready for issue, will not be for- warded by the Examiner to the Drafting Branch, and applicant will be so advised in the next action by the Examiner. (Basis: Order No. 4009.) NOTE .- Changes which may require sketches, 608.02 (v). ## 608.02(s) Estimating Cost of Correct- ing Drawings Files and drawings sent from the Examin- ing Group to the Draftsman for estimating the cost of correcting the drawing or of mak- ing new drawings will be retained by the Draftsman only long enough to estimate the cost of the work. If the Examiner approves of a proposed correction of a drawing for which an estimate is requested he will note his approval on the order for the estimate, attach the order to the outside of the file and have the Docket Clerk of the Group forward the file and drawing to the Draftsman. The Draftsman will note the estimate on the order and also on the drawing. If the application is not up for ac- tion the Draftsman sends the estimate to the Applicant. If the application is up for action the Draftsman does not send an estimate, but the Examiner should include the estimate in the next action. (Basis: Notice of July 13. 1906.) When giving an estimate in a case where no allowable subject matter has been found the Examiner should inform the applicant that no correction will be made until a claim is found to be allowable. If specifically requested by the applicant, the drawing will be corrected whether or not a claim is allowable. (Basis: Notice of February 1, 1932.) If an application is ready for allowance ex- cept for a correction required by the Official Draftsman, such as in a case where the lines are rough and blurred, the Examiner will ascer- tain (by calling Ext. 2589 or 2887) whether or not the attorney in the case has a De- posit Account. If there is no such account. the Examiner will obtain an estimate of the cost of this work from the Draftsman even though applicant has not requested such an estimate. Including the estimate in the final requirement for correction of the drawing may avoid prolonging the prosecution. ## 608.02(1) Cancelation of Figures Cancelation of one or more figures which do not occupy entire sheets of the drawings is done by the clerk in the Examining Group who encloses a figure and its legend with a red ink line. No portion of the figure itself should be crossed by the red line. The words "CANCEL per" and the date of the amendment directing the cancelation or the date that substitute sheets are filed should be written in red ink within the red line. Cancelation of an entire sheet of draw- ings is done by stamping the words "CANCEL per" in the top right corner of the drawing within the marginal line. When the cancelation of some of the figures from one sheet of drawings has left the re- maining figures with an inartistic arrangement, the Chief Draftsmen should be consulted as to whether the remaining figures should be trans- ferred to other sheets already in the case or shown in additional drawings. Cancelation of a figure may necessitate renumbering of the remaining figures. (Basis: Order No. 1862.) # 608.02(u) Changing Name of Attor- ney on Drawing Forbidden Writing upon the drawings the names of attorneys subsequently appointed, so as to make it appear that their names were present when the drawings were originally filed, is prohibited. This prohibition applies also where a draw- ing is transferred from one case to another having a different attorney. (Order No. 480, Revised.) # 608.02(v) Drawing Changes Which Require Sketches When changes are to be made in the drawing itself, other than mere changes in reference characters, designations of figures, or inking over lines pale and rough, a print or pen-and- ink sketch showing such changes in red ink must be filed. Ordinarily, broken lines may be changed to full without a sketch. Sketches filed by an applicant and used by the draftsman for correction of the drawing will not be returned. All such sketches must be in ink or permanent prints. (Basis: Or- der No. 4009). A pencil sketch that is otherwise acceptable or a blueprint with the changes indicated in pencil, may be inked in by the Office Drafts- man at applicant's request and at his expense. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 4. Apr. 1965" --> <!-- PageBreak --> # MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE 608.02(w) 608.02(*) Drawing Changes Which May Be Made by Examin- er's Amendment Without a Sketch Where an application is ready for issue ex- cept for a slight defect in the drawing not involving change in structure, the Examiner will prepare an Examiner's Amendment indi- cating the change made and note in pencil on the drawing the addition or alteration to be made and send the drawing by the file clerk to the Draftsman for the required correction. As a guide to the Examiner the following corrections are illustrative of those that may thus be made: 1\. Adding two or three reference characters or exponents. 2\. Changing one or two numerals or figure ordinals (Quality of paper being a factor). 3\. Removing superfluous matter, e.g., Figure and ordinal where all but one figure have been canceled. 4\. Adding or reversing directional arrows. 5\. Changing Roman Numerals to Arabic Nu- merals to agree with specification. 6\. Adding section lines or brackets, where easily executed. 7\. Making simple changes in Inventor's name (not his signature). 8\. Changing lead lines. 9\. Correcting misspelled legends. (Basis: Order No. 4009.) In the event that several different kinds of changes are required or any of the listed changes are time consuming, an Examiner's Amendment should not be made. # 608.02(x) Disposition of Orders for Amendment of Drawing Where the ordered correction of the drawing in a case up for action by the Examiner is ap- proved, the application and drawing are for- warded to the draftsman provided there is an allowable claim or there has been a specific request by applicant that the drawing be cor- rected regardless of whether or not a claim has been allowed (608.02(s). Applicant's letter to the draftsman is attached to the outside of the file and the Examiner writes on said let- ter "approved", with the date of approval and his initials, attaching, if appropriate, a "Spe- cial" tag (PO-364). If rough and blurred lines are to be corrected, the Ezaminer should at that time indicate in the margin the figure to be printed in the O.G. (Basis: Notice of Jan- nary 14, 1965. It is not necessary to carry such files to the Draftsman. Messenger envelopes should be used. After the drawing has been corrected, the Draftsman stamps the letter to the Draftsman and the back of the drawing CORRECTED and returns the case to the examiner. ## NEW DRAWINGS PREPARED BY PATENT OFFICE When new drawings have been required in pending applications and have been prepared by the Office Draftsman, they are not sent to the applicant for his signature but a copy (print) is sent to him for his file. The name of the inventor(s) will be printed on the drawings by the Office Draftsman. In the event that the application is in condi- tion for allowance, the application can be sent to issue immediately after the drawing is pre- pared. (Basis: Notice of Jan. 6, 1966.) CORRECTION NOT APPROVED Where the correction is not approved, for example, because the proposed changes are er- roneous, or involve new matter or (although otherwise proper) do not include all necessary corrections, the case and request for correction of drawing are not sent to the draftsman. The Examiner's reasons for not approving the cor- rections to the drawing should be set forth in the Office action. (Basis: Notice of Febru- ary 1, 1932, Revised.) ## 608.02(y) Return of Drawing Rule 87. Return of drawings. (a) The drawings of an accepted application will not be returned to the ap- plicant except for signature. A photographic print is made of the drawing of an accepted application. If there is an accepted drawing in the case, other drawings (except those originally filed) that have been finally denied admission will be returned to the applicant only at his request. Such a request must be filed within a reason- able time; otherwise the drawing may be dis- posed of at the discretion of the Commissioner. A <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 7. Jan. 1966" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="PARTS, FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION" --> 608.04 When a drawing is to be returned, the file, the Examiner's letter stating that the draw- ing is being returned, and the drawing are taken to the Drafting Branch where the letter will be stamped and the drawing returned. The letter is mailed by the Examining Group. Before drawings are returned prints are made and put in the application file. ## 608.03 Models, Exhibits, Specimens Rule 91. Models not generally required as part of application or patent. Models were once required in all cases admitting a model, as a part of the applica- tion, and these models became a part of the record of the patent. Such models are no longer generally re- quired (the description of the invention in the specifi- cation, and the drawings, must be sufficiently full and complete, and capable of being understood, to disclose the invention without the aid of a model), and will not be admitted unless specifically called for. Rule 92. Model or exhibit may be required. A model, working model, or other physical exhibit, may be re- quired if deemed necessary for any purpose on exami- nation of the application. With the exception of cases involving per- petual motion, a model is not ordinarily re- quired by the Office to demonstrate the opera- tiveness of a device. If operativeness of a device is questioned, the applicant must estab- lish it to the satisfaction of the Examiner, but he may choose his own way of so doing. A physical exhibit, not to be part of the case, is generally not refused except when bulky or dangerous. Rule 93. Specimens. When the invention relates to a composition of matter, the applicant may be required to furnish specimens of the composition, or of its in- gredients or intermediates, for the purpose of inspec- tion or experiment. ## 608.03(a) Handling of Models, Ex- hibits and Specimens All models received in this Office, whether forming part of an application, or filed upon request from the Examiner, must be received from the Model and Receiving Room and not from the applicant or his agent. It is neces- sary that all models should be taken to the Model Room for proper recording in order that they may be located under subsequent inquiry and for final disposition. The Exam- iners should, therefore, refuse to accept models from inventors or attorneys. Models properly received and entered in the records of the Model Clerk will be delivered by a representa- tive of the Property Clerk's Office or will be picked up by the examining division. When a model has been received in compli- ance with the official requirement, the date of its filing shall be entered on the file wrapper of the application. When an exhibit or model is received, it will be forwarded from the Model Room to the examining division. A label showing attor- ney's name and address should be attached to the model or exhibit so that it can be returned after prosecution of case. If exhibit is too large to be kept in the division during prosecu- tion of case, it may be sent to the Model Room with instructions to indicate whether exhibit is to be held or returned to sender. Rule 94. Return of models, exhibits or specimens. Models, exhibits, or specimens in applications which have become abandoned, and also in other applications on conclusion of the prosecution, may be returned to the applicant upon demand and at his expense, unless it be deemed necessary that they be preserved in the Office. Such physical exhibits in contested cases may be returned to the parties at their expense. If not claimed within a reasonable time, they may be disposed of at the discretion of the Commissioner. When a model is to be returned a letter should be written to applicant by the Exam- ining Division stating that it is being returned under separate cover and the model room should be properly notified to return the model. NOTE .- Disposition of exhibits which are part of the record, 715.07(d). Models, exhibits and specimens may be pre sented to the Office for purposes of intervier and taken away by the attorney at the end ... the interview. See 713.08. NOTE .- Plant specimens, 1607, Rule 163. Rule 95. Copies of exhibits. Copies of models or other physical exhibits will not ordinarily be furnished by the Office, and any model or exhibit in an applica- tion or patent shall not be taken from the Office except in the custody of an employee of the Office specially authorized by the Commissioner. ### 608.04 New Matter Rule 118. Amendment of disclosure. In original ap- plications, all amendments of the drawings or specifi- cations, and all additions thereto, must conform to at least one of them as it was at the time of the filing of the application. Matter not found in either, involving a departure from or an addition to the original disclo- sure, cannot be added to the application even though supported by a supplemental oath, and can be shown or claimed only in a separate application. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 12, Apr. 1967" --> <!-- PageFooter="276-26 67 8" --> <!-- PageBreak --> <!-- PageHeader="608.04(a)" --> <!-- PageHeader="MANUAL OF PATENT EXAMINING PROCEDURE" --> In establishing a disclosure applicant may rely not only on the specification and drawing as filed but also on the original claims if their content justifies it. Note 608.01 (1). While amendments to the specification and claims involving new matter are ordinarily entered, such matter is required to be canceled from the descriptive portion of the specifica- tion, and the claims affected are rejected. A "new matter" amendment of the drawing is ordinarily not entered. Neither is an addi- tional or substitute sheet containing "new mat- ter" even though stamped APPROVED by the Draftsman and provisionally entered by the Clerk. See 608.02 (h). The Examiner's holding of new matter may be petitionable or appealable. 608.04(c). NOTE .-- New matter in reissue application, 1401.07. New matter in substitute specifica- tion, 714.20. ### 608.04(a) Matter Not in Original Specification, Claims or Drawings Matter not in the original specification, claims or drawings is usually new matter. Depending on circumstances such as the ade- quacy of the original disclosure, the addition of inherent characteristics such as chemical or physical properties, a new structural formula or a new use may be new matter. See Ex parte Vander Wal et al., 1956 C.D. 11; 705 O.G. 5 (physical properties), Ex parte Fox. 1960 C.D. 28; 761 O.G. 906 (new formula) and Ex parte Avers et al., 108 U.S.P.Q. 444 (new use). For rejection of claim involving new matter see 706.03(0). Norz .-- Completeness of disclosure, 608.01 (p); Trademarks and trade names, 608.01 (v). 608.04(b) New Matter by Prelimi- nary Amendment As an applicant has the right to amend be- fore action on his case provided the number of claims in cases filed before October 25, 1965, is kept within the limit imposed by his filing fee, an amendment is sometimes filed along with the filing of the application. Such amendment does not enjoy the status as part of the original disclosure. Its test as to in- volving new matter is the same as though filed on a subsequent date. Ex parte Leish- man, 137 Ms. 336, Pat. No. 1,581,937, and Ex parte Adams, Pat. No. 1,789,921. # 608.04(c) Review of Examiner's Holding of New Matter Where the new matter is confined to amend- ments to the specification, review of the Ex- aminer's requirement for cancellation is by way of petition. But where the alleged new matter is introduced into or affects the claims, thus necessitating their rejection on this ground, the question becomes an appealable one, and should not be considered on petition even though that new matter has been intro- duced into the specification also. Rules 181 and 191 afford the explanation of this seem- ingly inconsistent practice as affecting new matter in the specification. <!-- PageFooter="Rev. 12, Apr. 1967" -->
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