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608.02(h) **>Replacement< Drawings [R-2] - 600 Parts, Form, and Content of Application
608.02(h) **>Replacement< Drawings [R-2]
When an amendment is filed stating that **>replacement< sheets of drawings are filed with the amendment and such drawings have not been transmitted to the Technology Center (TC), the technical support staff in the TC should attempt to locate the missing drawings. In the next communication of the examiner, the applicant is notified if the drawings have been received and whether or not the **>replacement< drawings have been entered in the application. If the **>replacement< drawings are not entered, the examiner should give the applicant a concise and complete explanation as to why the drawings were not entered.
**>Replacement< drawings, together with the file wrapper, may be routed through the TC Draftsperson if the examiner would like the draftsperson's assistance in identifying errors in the drawings. >For Image File Wrapper (IFW) processing, see IFW Manual.< The draftsperson will note any defects of the drawings on a PTO-948.
The examiner should not overlook such factors as new matter, the necessity for the *>replacement< sheets and consistency with other sheets. The technical support staff will routinely enter all **>replacement sheets in the contents of the application. For IFW processing, see IFW Manual.< If the examiner decides that the sheets should not be entered, the examiner should provide the applicant with the complete, explicit reasoning for the denial of entry. The entries made by the technical support staff will be marked "(N.E.)."
Form paragraph 6.37 may be used to acknowledge **>replacement drawing sheets.
¶ 6.37 Acknowledgment of Replacement Drawing Sheets
The drawings were received on [1]. These drawings are [2].
Examiner Note
1. In bracket 2, insert either --acceptable-- or --not acceptable--.
2. If not acceptable because of noncompliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d), an explanation must be provided.
3. If not acceptable because of informalities noted on PTO-948, use form paragraph 6.43.
<Alternatively, PTOL-326 Office Action Summary includes a block for acknowledgment of **>replacement< drawings.
**For return of drawing, see MPEP § 608.02(y).
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