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2.11.3.9 Colour Drawings and Photographs

Date Published

Note: The information in this part only applies to:

  • standard patent applications with an examination request filed before 15 April 2013.  
  • innovation patents with an examination request filed before 15 April 2013.
  • innovation patents where the Commissioner decided before 15 April 2013 to examine the patent.

For all other standard patent applications/innovation patents, see 2.11.3.9A Colour Drawings, Graphics and Photographs.

A full description of an invention rarely requires the use of colour drawings or photographs. However, an applicant can rely on colour drawings or photographs, despite item schedule 3, item 11. The acceptability of such pages is generally a formality issue that is dealt with by COG, with there being an expectation that the applicant will file black and white drawings if it is at all possible. If colour is strictly necessary, the drawings or photographs will be stored as physical media.  Any queries regarding the acceptability (from a reprographics perspective) of colour drawings or photographs should be referred to COG.

See also 2.29.11 Drawings, Graphics and Photographs.

Note: Where colour is important to an invention, use of a standard colour reference chart (such as the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart) may be an alternative to using colour drawings or photographs.

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