What is “free text” in a Sequence Listing XML and how should it be used?

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.

“Free text” is a type of value format used for certain qualifiers in a Sequence Listing XML. According to MPEP 2413.01(g):

“‘Free text’ is a type of value format for certain qualifiers presented in the form of a descriptive text phrase or other specified format.”

Important guidelines for using free text include:

• Its use should be limited to short terms indispensable for understanding a characteristic of the sequence.
• For each qualifier, free text must not exceed 1000 characters.
• Some free text is language-dependent and may require translation for international procedures.

Proper use of free text ensures that important descriptive information about sequences is captured while maintaining consistency and translatability in patent applications.