What are the formatting requirements for a computer program listing appendix?

According to MPEP 608.05(a), a computer program listing appendix must meet specific formatting requirements:

• ASCII text file format
• No more than 72 characters per line
• No more than 60 lines per page
• Must begin with a page header

The MPEP states: “A computer program listing appendix shall be submitted as a text file in ASCII text.” It further specifies that “No line shall exceed 72 characters in length. … No more than 60 lines of code may be included on a single page.“

To learn more:

• computer program listing
• appendix
• formatting
• ASCII
• patent application