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Are Patent Drawings Public Domain?

By Stephen M. Nipper

“Patents are published as part of the terms of granting the patent to the inventor. Subject to limited exceptions reflected in 37 CFR 1.71(d) & (e) and 1.84(s), the text and drawings of a patent are typically not subject to copyright restrictions.” See: http://www.uspto.gov/main/ccpubguide.htm However: 37 CFR 1.84(s) Copyright or Mask Work Notice (§ 1.71(d) says generally the same thing). “A copyright or mask work notice may appear in the drawing, but must be placed within the sight of the drawing immediately below the figure representing the copyright or mask work material and be limited to letters having a print size of.32 cm. to .64 cm. (1/8 to 1/4 inches) high. The content of the notice must be limited to only those elements provided for by law...continue to full post

Full post as published by Invent Blog on September 30, 2008 (boomark / email).