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I have been researching design patent drawings, and from what I read they typically have to be shaded, I just found an example of the GoPro Karma Drone Battery, and it appears to have no shading.
Can you get away without shading?
link to design patent drawings for gopro battery
It's fine to not have surface shading, as long as your drawings are clear without it. That is, surface shading is just one technique that is used to completely and adequately show the nature of the design you are claiming.
MPEP ยง 1503.02(II) specifically addresses this exactly question.
While surface shading is not required under 37 CFR 1.152, it may be necessary in particular cases to shade the figures to show clearly the character and contour of all surfaces of any 3-dimensional aspects of the design. Surface shading is also necessary to distinguish between any open and solid areas of the article. However, surface shading should not be used on unclaimed subject matter, shown in broken lines, to avoid confusion as to the scope of the claim.
Lack of appropriate surface shading in the drawing as filed may render the design nonenabling and indefinite under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) and (b), (or for applications filed prior to September 16, 2012, 35 U.S.C. 112, first and second paragraphs). Additionally, if the surface shape is not evident from the disclosure as filed, the addition of surface shading after filing may comprise new matter.
It's best to include surface shading in your design patent drawings to prevent a rejection by the US patent office. Design patents are all about the visual representation and understanding the overall structure. Often times the structure may be understood without the shading but why take the chance. Hire a good professional patent illustrator who will provide fully shaded design drawings in a format the uspto prefers. AM Patent Drawings & Graphics out of Northern Virginia provides a professional service https://www.ampatentdrawings.com.
