Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-27
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.
The USPTO handles non-English language prior art documents as follows:
- Examiners may rely on a machine translation or a translation provided by an applicant to determine the content of non-English language prior art.
- If the document is in a language the examiner understands, they may use their own translation.
- For documents of particular relevance, the examiner may request a human translation from the Scientific and Technical Information Center (STIC).
As stated in MPEP 901.05(d): “If the examiner believes that a machine translation or translation submitted by an applicant is not accurate, the examiner should obtain a human translation from STIC.”