How are lengthy sequence listings handled in patent application publications?
Lengthy sequence listings are handled differently in patent application publications due to their size and format. According to MPEP 1121:
“Due to the high cost and limited usefulness of printed paper or composed electronic image versions of lengthy nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, ‘Sequence Listings’ (for applications filed before July 1, 2022) and ‘Sequence Listing XMLs’ (for applications filed on or after July 1, 2022) which are at least 600 Kb (about 300 typed pages) are not printed with the paper and composed electronic image (page image) versions of patents and patent application publications.”
Instead:
- Lengthy sequence listings are published only in electronic form on the USPTO sequence homepage (https://seqdata.uspto.gov)
- The patent or patent application publication will include a statement that it contains a lengthy sequence listing section
- A hyperlink to the webpage containing the sequence listing will be provided
This approach balances the need for complete disclosure with practical considerations of publication costs and usability.
To learn more: