What do Roman numerals represent in foreign patent publication dates?

Question

Accepted Answer

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-27 1 Rules 5 Related FAQs This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice. In foreign patent publication dates, Roman numerals have a specific purpose. According to MPEP 901.05(a) : “Roman numerals always refer to the month.” This means that when you encounter a date in a foreign patent publication that uses Roman numerals, those numerals are consistently used to represent the month of the year. For example, VI would represent June, and XII would represent December. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 1 rules Collapse Requirement for Examiner's Action Under 1.104(a)(1) MPEP 901 Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse How do you convert Japanese patent dates to Western calendar years? How are dates formatted in foreign patent publications? Why is understanding foreign patent date formats important for patent research? How do Japanese patent application publications show dates? Can an abandoned application be used as prior art?