2.11.3.9A Colour Drawings, Graphics and Photographs

Date Published

Note: The information in this part only applies to:

  • standard patent applications with an examination request filed on or after 15 April 2013.
  • innovation patents with an examination request filed on or after 15 April 2013.
  • innovation patents where the Commissioner had not decided before 15 April 2013 to examine the patent.  

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

A clear enough and complete enough disclosure of an invention rarely requires the use of colour drawings, graphics or photographs. However, the use of colour drawings, graphics or photographs is permitted in certain circumstances (see 2.29 Formalities and Forms and 2.29.11 Drawings, Graphics and Photographs). The acceptability of such pages is generally a formality issue that is dealt with by COG, with there being an expectation that an applicant will file black and white drawings, graphics or photographs if it is at all possible. Any queries regarding the acceptability (from a reprographics perspective) of colour drawings, graphics or photographs should be referred to COG.

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, graphics or photographs.