Why Design Patent Pro (DPP) ProSearch? DPP ProSearch is intended to fill a gap in the resources available to design patent practitioners by providing a searchable database of design patent applications containing at least one non-final rejection. New case law and administrative decisions related to design patents are readily
1. Do drawing figures contain broken lines? Then a broken line statement should be included. 2. Do drawing figures not contain broken lines? Then a broken line statement should not be included. 3. Does the broken line statement (BLS) expressly identify what is represented by each type of
Common Rejections In General 1. Improperly including a broken line statement when no broken lines exist in the drawing figures. If the drawing figures have no broken lines, then a broken line statement should not be included. This sometime happens when drawing figures containing broken lines are cancelled during
1. Necessity of a Broken Line Statement MPEP § 1503.02 (III) entitled “Broken Lines” states “[u]nclaimed subject matter must be described as forming no part of the claimed design or of a specified embodiment thereof.” If the drawing figures contain broken lines and a broken line statement is not
Use of the Phrase “are for illustrative purposes only” The confusion over whether and how to use the phrase “are for illustration purposes only” in a broken line statement is understandable. The MPEP expressly recommended use of the phrase without any reference to environment or other qualifier up until August