How should applicants cite information from foreign language documents?

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.

When citing information from foreign language documents, applicants should provide an English language equivalent or translation. MPEP 707.05(b) provides guidance on this matter:

‘Where an applicant for patent wishes to cite and rely on a different form of the English language translation of a foreign language document in the record of the application (see MPEP § 609.04(a), subsection III), the applicant should supply an appropriate supplemental information disclosure statement under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 with the new translation.’

This practice ensures that the examiner can fully understand and consider the cited information, regardless of its original language. It’s important to note that if relying on a different translation than what’s already in the record, a new information disclosure statement should be submitted.