# MPEP § 1503: Elements of a Design Patent Application Filed Under 35 U.S.C. chapter 16

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1503

## Section

- **Citation:** MPEP § 1503
- **Heading:** Elements of a Design Patent Application Filed Under 35 U.S.C. chapter 16
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USPTO MPEP / Chapter 1500 - Design Patents / MPEP § 1503

## Text

This section sets forth the elements of a design application
filed under 35 U.S.C. chapter 16. Elements of an international design application are set
forth in
MPEP
Chapter 2900
, though reference to international design
applications that designate the United States is included in this section where
appropriate.
A design patent application has essentially the elements required of an
application for a utility patent (see
Chapter 600
). The arrangement of the
elements of a design patent application filed under 35 U.S.C. chapter 16 and the sections
of the specification are as specified in
37 CFR 1.154
.
A claim in a specific form is a necessary element of a design patent
application. See
MPEP §
1503.01, subsection III
.
A drawing is an essential element of a design patent application. See
MPEP §
1503.02
for requirements for drawings.

## Nearby sections

- [MPEP § 1501 Statutes and Rules Applicable](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1501.md)
- [MPEP § 1502 Definition of a Design](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1502.md)
- [MPEP § 1502.01 Distinction Between Design and Utility Patents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1502.01.md)
- [MPEP § 1502.02 Design Patent Practitioner Bar](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1502.02.md)
- [MPEP § 1503 Elements of a Design Patent Application Filed Under 35 U.S.C. chapter 16](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1503.md)
- [MPEP § 1503.01 Specification](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1503.01.md)
- [MPEP § 1503.02 Drawing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1503.02.md)
- [MPEP § 1504 Examination](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1504.md)
- [MPEP § 1504.01 Statutory Subject Matter for Designs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1504.01.md)
- [MPEP § 1504.01(a) Computer-Generated Electronic Images](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1504.01(a).md)
- [MPEP § 1504.01(b) Design Comprising Multiple Articles or Multiple Parts Embodied in a Single Article](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1504.01(b).md)
- [MPEP § 1504.01(c) Lack of Ornamentality](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1504.01(c).md)
- [MPEP § 1504.01(d) Simulation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1504.01(d).md)
- [MPEP § 1504.01(e) Offensive Subject Matter](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1504.01(e).md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/MPEP_S1503. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.