10.1 Replacement drawings under Rule 58

If drawings that depart substantially from the physical requirements laid down in the Implementing Regulations are filed to establish a particular date of filing or retain a priority date, they may be replaced upon invitation from the Receiving Section under Rule 58, provided that the better-quality drawings do not contain any alterations compared with the original drawings. This requirement also extends to their format in so far as drawings of improved quality submitted under Rule 58 may contain colour or greyscale only to the same extent as the original drawings. In view of the requirements under Art. 123(2), applicants should take care that any "informal" drawings filed clearly show all the features necessary to illustrate the invention. For the late-filing of missing or correct drawings filed under Rule 56(3) or Rule 56a(4), see A‑II, 5.4.2 and A-II, 6.4.1.