MPEP § 2412.02 — Definition of “Sequence Listing XML” (Annotated Rules)

§2412.02 Definition of “Sequence Listing XML”

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2412.02, 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.

Definition of “Sequence Listing XML”

This section addresses Definition of “Sequence Listing XML”. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 111, 37 CFR 1.831, and 37 CFR 1.821(c). Contains: 1 requirement and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Sequence Listing Content

6 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2412-02-2830dc728fac9453e71afcf1]
Requirement for Sequence Listing XML
Note:
This rule requires all applications with disclosure of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences to include a properly formatted Sequence Listing XML on or after July 1, 2022.

[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).]

37 CFR 1.77 · 37 CFR 1.831(b)Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing RequirementsSequence Listing Format
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2412-02-5bd6d960acf0c6d87d78ffcf]
Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequence Disclosure Requires XML Listing
Note:
Patent applications disclosing nucleotide and amino acid sequences must include a separate computer readable Sequence Listing in XML format.

(a) Patent applications disclosing a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences by enumeration of its residues, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, must contain, as a separate part of the disclosure, a computer readable Sequence Listing in XML format (a “Sequence Listing XML”). Disclosed nucleotide or amino acid sequences that do not meet the definition in paragraph (b) of this section must not be included in the “Sequence Listing XML.” The “Sequence Listing XML” contains the information of the nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence(s) disclosed in the patent application using the symbols and format in accordance with the requirements of §§ 1.832 through 1.834.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.832Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-2412-02-fc3e5b1560e459bcc30863e0]
Nucleotide/Amino Acid Sequences Not Meeting Definition Must Not Be Included in Sequence Listing XML
Note:
Patent applications must not include nucleotide or amino acid sequences that do not meet the specified definition within the required Sequence Listing XML.

(a) Patent applications disclosing a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences by enumeration of its residues, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, must contain, as a separate part of the disclosure, a computer readable Sequence Listing in XML format (a “Sequence Listing XML”). Disclosed nucleotide or amino acid sequences that do not meet the definition in paragraph (b) of this section must not be included in the “Sequence Listing XML.” The “Sequence Listing XML” contains the information of the nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence(s) disclosed in the patent application using the symbols and format in accordance with the requirements of §§ 1.832 through 1.834.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.832Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2412-02-01c687aab1a3be21b305317a]
Requirement for Sequence Listing XML
Note:
Patent applications with nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence disclosures must include a separate computer readable Sequence Listing in XML format.

(a) Patent applications disclosing a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences by enumeration of its residues, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, must contain, as a separate part of the disclosure, a computer readable Sequence Listing in XML format (a “Sequence Listing XML”). Disclosed nucleotide or amino acid sequences that do not meet the definition in paragraph (b) of this section must not be included in the “Sequence Listing XML.” The “Sequence Listing XML” contains the information of the nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence(s) disclosed in the patent application using the symbols and format in accordance with the requirements of §§ 1.832 through 1.834.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.832Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2412-02-10655e28fe0df671eba2b0ea]
Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequences Must Be in XML Format
Note:
For applications filed on or after July 1, 2022, nucleotide and amino acid sequences must be presented as a separate part of the disclosure in computer readable XML format according to WIPO Standard ST.26.

For 35 U.S.C. 111 applications and international applications filed on or after July 1, 2022, that disclose one or more nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences as enumerated by its residues, each nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence and associated sequence data must be presented as a separate part of the disclosure that comprises the sequences in computer readable XML format in accordance with WIPO Standard ST.26 as implemented by 37 CFR 1.831 – 1.834. This sequence listing is referred to as a “Sequence Listing XML” in order to distinguish it from a “Sequence Listing” submitted in an application having a filing date BEFORE July 1, 2022. For 35 U.S.C. 111 applications and international applications having a filing date before July 1, 2022, that disclose of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, see 37 CFR 1.821(c) and 1.821(e)(1). See also MPEP §§ 2421.01 and 2421.02.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.831Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2412-02-da58cba3c58a595f729fe45f]
Sequence Listing XML Required for Filing on or After July 1, 2022
Note:
For patent applications filed on or after July 1, 2022, nucleotide and amino acid sequences must be presented in computer readable XML format.

For 35 U.S.C. 111 applications and international applications filed on or after July 1, 2022, that disclose one or more nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences as enumerated by its residues, each nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence and associated sequence data must be presented as a separate part of the disclosure that comprises the sequences in computer readable XML format in accordance with WIPO Standard ST.26 as implemented by 37 CFR 1.831 – 1.834. This sequence listing is referred to as a “Sequence Listing XML” in order to distinguish it from a “Sequence Listing” submitted in an application having a filing date BEFORE July 1, 2022. For 35 U.S.C. 111 applications and international applications having a filing date before July 1, 2022, that disclose of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, see 37 CFR 1.821(c) and 1.821(e)(1). See also MPEP §§ 2421.01 and 2421.02.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.831Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Sequence Listing Content35 U.S.C. § 111
Sequence Listing Content37 CFR § 1.821(c)
Sequence Listing Content37 CFR § 1.831
Sequence Listing Content37 CFR § 1.831(b)
Sequence Listing Content37 CFR § 1.832
Sequence Listing ContentMPEP § 2421.01

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