What are language-dependent free text qualifiers in a “Sequence Listing XML”?

Language-dependent free text qualifiers are specific qualifiers in a “Sequence Listing XML” that may require translation for national, regional, or international procedures. As explained in MPEP 2413.01(h):

“Language-dependent free text is the free text value of certain qualifiers that is language-dependent in that it may require translation for national, regional or international procedures.”

These qualifiers are identified in Tables 5 and 6 of WIPO Standard ST.26, Annex I, for nucleotide and amino acid sequences respectively. Examples include ‘note’, ‘organism’, ‘function’, and ‘product’. The free text for these qualifiers must be provided in English in the INSDQualifier_value element, and optionally in another language in the NonEnglishQualifier_value element.

To learn more:

Topics: MPEP 2400 - Biotechnology, MPEP 2413.01 - Parts Of The "Sequence Listing Xml", Patent Law, Patent Procedure
Tags: Language-Dependent Free Text, Qualifiers, sequence listing xml