Why does the USPTO transform Sequence Listing XML into ASCII text?

The USPTO transforms Sequence Listing XML into ASCII text to improve readability for publication purposes. According to MPEP 2419: “Because a ‘Sequence Listing XML’ exists only in .xml file format, the USPTO uses a style sheet to transform the ‘Sequence Listing XML’ into an ASCII text file which will be used for printing purposes to present the sequence information in a format that is more easily read.” This transformation ensures that the sequence information is presented in a user-friendly format in published patent documents.

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Topics: MPEP 2400 - Biotechnology, MPEP 2419 - Publishing Of Patent Grants And Patent Application Publications With A "Sequence Listing Xml", Patent Law, Patent Procedure
Tags: Ascii Text, Patent Publication, Readability, sequence listing xml, USPTO