MPEP § 2414.04 — Translation of “Sequence Listing XML” is Not an Amended “Sequence Listing XML” under 37 CFR 1.835(b) (Annotated Rules)

§2414.04 Translation of “Sequence Listing XML” is Not an Amended “Sequence Listing XML” under 37 CFR 1.835(b)

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2414.04, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Translation of “Sequence Listing XML” is Not an Amended “Sequence Listing XML” under 37 CFR 1.835(b)

This section addresses Translation of “Sequence Listing XML” is Not an Amended “Sequence Listing XML” under 37 CFR 1.835(b). Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.831(b), 37 CFR 1.69, and 37 CFR 1.835. Contains: 2 requirements, 1 permission, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Sequence Listing Format

8 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2414-04-fb24ea276b01b144ac6a081d]
Translation of Sequence Listing XML Not Amended
Note:
This rule states that translating a sequence listing from XML format does not constitute an amendment under the specified conditions.

[Editor Note: This section is applicable to all applications with a filing date, or, for national phase applications, an international filing date, on or after July 1, 2022, having disclosure of one or more nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences as defined in 37 CFR 1.831(b). Formatting representations of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) elements in this section appear different than shown in Standard ST.26, which may be accessed at: www.wipo.int /export/sites/www/standards/en/pdf/03-26-01.pdf.]

37 CFR 1.77 · 37 CFR 1.831(b)Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing RequirementsSequence Listing Content
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2414-04-af9e4d57526fa3c6db5b4c5d]
Translation of Sequence Listing XML is Not an Amended Sequence Listing
Note:
A translated 'Sequence Listing XML' that contains non-English values for language-dependent free text elements does not require compliance with paragraphs (a) through (c) under 37 CFR 1.835(b).

(d)(2) Compliance with paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section is not required for submission of a “Sequence Listing XML” that is solely an English translation of a previously submitted “Sequence Listing XML” that contains non-English values for any language-dependent free text elements (as per § 1.833(b)(3)). The required submission will be a translated “Sequence Listing XML” in compliance with §§ 1.831 through 1.834. Updated values for attributes in the root element (§ 1.833(b)(2)(iii)) or elements of the general information part (§ 1.833(b)(2)(iv)) are not considered amendments for purposes of complying with paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.

37 CFR 1.77 · 37 CFR 1.833(b)(3)Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2414-04-e0660eeb4e60d585fb579baa]
Translation of Sequence Listing XML Required
Note:
A translated ‘Sequence Listing XML’ must be submitted in compliance with §1.831 through 1.834 for patent applications filed on or after July 1, 2022.

(d)(2) Compliance with paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section is not required for submission of a “Sequence Listing XML” that is solely an English translation of a previously submitted “Sequence Listing XML” that contains non-English values for any language-dependent free text elements (as per § 1.833(b)(3)). The required submission will be a translated “Sequence Listing XML” in compliance with §§ 1.831 through 1.834. Updated values for attributes in the root element (§ 1.833(b)(2)(iii)) or elements of the general information part (§ 1.833(b)(2)(iv)) are not considered amendments for purposes of complying with paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.

37 CFR 1.77 · 37 CFR 1.833(b)(3)Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2414-04-49d1820b6b5d85c2debcc064]
Updated Values Not Considered Amendments for Sequence Listing XML
Note:
Updates to attribute values in the root element or general information part of a 'Sequence Listing XML' are not treated as amendments under section 37 CFR 1.835.

(d)(2) Compliance with paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section is not required for submission of a “Sequence Listing XML” that is solely an English translation of a previously submitted “Sequence Listing XML” that contains non-English values for any language-dependent free text elements (as per § 1.833(b)(3)). The required submission will be a translated “Sequence Listing XML” in compliance with §§ 1.831 through 1.834. Updated values for attributes in the root element (§ 1.833(b)(2)(iii)) or elements of the general information part (§ 1.833(b)(2)(iv)) are not considered amendments for purposes of complying with paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.

37 CFR 1.77 · 37 CFR 1.833(b)(3)Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2414-04-b682d9a2e5afaaee17be7d3b]
XML Format for Sequence Listings Required
Note:
The rule requires that any sequence listing in patent applications must be submitted as an XML format, effective July 1, 2022.

In accordance with 37 CFR 1.52(b)(1)(ii), any:

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.52(b)(1)(ii)Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing RequirementsPaper and Format Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2414-04-27fc0760b1a152d10b893dc8]
Application Must Be in English or Translated
Note:
The application and any amendments must be in English or accompanied by an accurate translation into English.

“application or proceeding and any amendments or corrections to the application (including any translation submitted pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section) or proceeding, except as provided for in § 1.69 and paragraph (d) of this section, must: ***** (ii) Be in the English language or be accompanied by a translation of the application and a translation of any corrections or amendments into the English language together with a statement that the translation is accurate.”

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.69Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2414-04-c8b486c27b1adcc95c9f8626]
Sequence Listing XML Must Contain English Qualifier Values
Note:
Any 'Sequence Listing XML' with language-dependent qualifier values must include an 'INSDQualifier_value' in English, otherwise a translation is required.

Thus, any “Sequence Listing XML” that contains one or more qualifiers having a free text value that is language-dependent must comprise an “INSDQualifier_value” element containing text in the English language, otherwise a translation of the “Sequence Listing XML” is required.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.835Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2414-04-32209df956aef7f00b76bd64]
Translation of Sequence Listing XML Is Not Amended Under 37 CFR 1.835(b)
Note:
This rule states that translating a sequence listing into English does not constitute an amendment under the regulations.

The provisions of 37 CFR 1.835(d)(2) indicate that providing a translation of such language-dependent free text values into English in a new “Sequence Listing XML” does not constitute an added or amended “Sequence Listing XML” under 37 CFR 1.835(a) or 1.835(b).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.835(d)(2)Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
Topic

Sequence Listing Content

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2414-04-94616194a06368634ac7569f]
Disclosure Requirement for Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequences
Note:
This rule requires that all applications filed on or after July 1, 2022, disclosing nucleotide or amino acid sequences must include the specified sequence information as defined in 37 CFR 1.831(b).

[Editor Note: This section is applicable to all applications with a filing date, or, for national phase applications, an international filing date, on or after July 1, 2022, having disclosure of one or more nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences as defined in 37 CFR 1.831(b). Formatting representations of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) elements in this section appear different than shown in Standard ST.26, which may be accessed at: www.wipo.int /export/sites/www/standards/en/pdf/03-26-01.pdf.]

37 CFR 1.77 · 37 CFR 1.831(b)Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing RequirementsSequence Listing Format

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Sequence Listing Format37 CFR § 1.52(b)(1)(ii)
Sequence Listing Format37 CFR § 1.69
Sequence Listing Format37 CFR § 1.831
Sequence Listing Content
Sequence Listing Format
37 CFR § 1.831(b)
Sequence Listing Format37 CFR § 1.833(b)(2)(iii)
Sequence Listing Format37 CFR § 1.833(b)(2)(iv)
Sequence Listing Format37 CFR § 1.833(b)(3)
Sequence Listing Format37 CFR § 1.835(a)
Sequence Listing Format37 CFR § 1.835(d)(2)

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31