What are the file naming requirements for sequence listings submitted as ASCII text files?

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 submitting a sequence listing as an ASCII text file, it’s important to follow specific file naming conventions. According to MPEP 2425:

“The file name must be limited to 25 characters or fewer, including spaces and the extension, and must include only ASCII characters.”

Additionally, the MPEP provides guidelines on the preferred file name format:

• The file name should begin with “SEQLIST”
• It should be followed by the application number (if known)
• The file extension should be “.txt”

For example, a valid file name could be: SEQLIST123456.txt for application number 123456.

It’s crucial to adhere to these naming conventions to ensure proper processing of your sequence listing submission.