The Patents Rules 2007

Rule 14

SCHEDULE 2 U.K. FORMAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

PART 1 U.K. REQUIREMENTS: ALL DOCUMENTS

1.  A4 matt white paper must be used. U.K.

2.  A document in paper form must be free from tears, folds or similar damage and its contents must be suitable for reproduction. U.K.

3.  Frames (lines surrounding matter) must not be used. U.K.

PART 2 U.K. REQUIREMENTS: DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN DRAWINGS)

4.  The pages of the description and claims must be numbered consecutively in a single series. U.K.

5.  But where a sequence listing is set out at the end of the application, it must be numbered consecutively in a separate series. U.K.

6.  Page numbers must be located at the top or bottom of the page (but not in the margin) in the centre. U.K.

7.  The minimum margins in any document must be 20mm. U.K.

8.  Each of the following— U.K.

(a) the request for the grant of a patent;

(b) the description;

(c) the claims;

(d) the abstract,

must begin on a new sheet of paper.

9.  The abstract, description and claims must use at least 1.5 line spacing, except where they form part of a translation or a sequence listing. U.K.

10.  The capital letters in any typeface or font used must be more than 2mm high. U.K.

PART 3 U.K. REQUIREMENTS: DRAWINGS

11.  There must be a margin around any drawing which must be at least— U.K.

(a) at the top and left side, 20mm;

(b) at the right side, 15mm; and

(c) at the bottom, 10mm.

12.  All drawings must be numbered consecutively in a single series. U.K.

13.  The drawings must begin on a new sheet of paper. U.K.

14.  The pages containing the drawings must be numbered consecutively in a single series. U.K.

15.  Drawings must comprise black lines and must not be shaded. U.K.

16.  Drawings may include cross-hatching to illustrate the cross-sections of a thing. U.K.

17.  Any scale or other reference for making measurement must be represented diagrammatically. U.K.

18.  Any drawing must be produced in such manner that it would still be clear if it were reduced by linear reduction to two thirds of its original size. U.K.

19.  A drawing must not be included in the description, the claims, the abstract or the request for the grant of a patent. U.K.

20.  The capital letters in any typeface or font used in any drawing must be more than 3mm high. U.K.

PART 4 U.K. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

21.  References must only be included in the drawing where they are mentioned in either the description or the claims. U.K.

22.  Tables of information may only be included in the claims if the comptroller agrees. U.K.

23.  The terminology and any references used must be consistent throughout the application for a patent. U.K.

24.  Where units of measurement used in the application are not standard international units of measurement, the equivalent standard international units of measurement must be provided, and where no international standard exists, units must be used which are generally accepted in the field. U.K.

25.  Only technical terms, signs and symbols which are generally accepted in the field may be used. U.K.