Legal Definitions - informal drawing

An informal drawing is a type of drawing that does not meet the formatting requirements of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It can be submitted by the patent applicant or declared informal by the PTO Drafter. This type of drawing is different from a formal drawing, which complies with the formatting requirements set forth in 37 CFR § 1.84 and is stamped "Approved" by the PTO Drafter.

• A sketch of an invention that is not drawn to scale or lacks proper labeling is an example of an informal drawing.
• A drawing of a trademark that contains a graphical element, such as a logo or picture, but is not submitted in black-and-white with a description of the colors to be used on the final mark is also an example of an informal drawing.

These examples illustrate how an informal drawing can be incomplete or not meet the specific requirements set forth by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It is important for patent applicants to ensure that their drawings meet the necessary formatting requirements to avoid delays or rejection of their application.