MPEP § 2422.06 — Requirement for Statement Regarding Information Contained in the “Sequence Listing” and Separate Computer Readable Form (Annotated Rules)

§2422.06 Requirement for Statement Regarding Information Contained in the “Sequence Listing” and Separate Computer Readable Form

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2422.06, 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.

Requirement for Statement Regarding Information Contained in the “Sequence Listing” and Separate Computer Readable Form

This section addresses Requirement for Statement Regarding Information Contained in the “Sequence Listing” and Separate Computer Readable Form. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 111(a), 35 U.S.C. 371, and 37 CFR 1.821(c)(2)). Contains: 1 requirement, 1 permission, and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Nationals and Residents

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2422-06-d612f2edcc269afa5ea2dada]
Requirement for Identical Sequence Listing and CRF
Note:
A statement must be provided that the information in a submitted sequence listing and its separate computer readable form are identical.

When a separate computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing” is submitted in an application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) because the “Sequence Listing” is filed as a PDF image file (37 CFR 1.821(c)(2)) or on physical sheets of paper (37 CFR 1.821(c)(3)) (see 37 CFR 1.821(e)(1)(i)) or filed in a national stage application submitted under 35 U.S.C. 371 because the “Sequence Listing” is filed as a PDF image file (37 CFR 1.821(c)(2)) or on physical sheets of paper (37 CFR 1.821(c)(3)) and not also as an ASCII plain text file in compliance with 37 CFR 1.824 (see 37 CFR 1.821(e)(2)(i)), 37 CFR 1.821(e)(1)(ii) and (2)(ii) require, a statement that the information contained in the “Sequence Listing” and the separate CRF are identical. When a CRF is submitted in the international stage of an international application under the PCT in response to an notice requesting a ASCII plain text formatted sequence listing by the United States International Searching Authority or by the United States International Preliminary Examining Authority because a sequence listing in ASCII plain text format in compliance with 37 CFR 1.824 has not been filed (see 37 CFR 1.821(e)(3)(i)), 37 CFR 1.821(e)(3)(iii) requires a statement that the information contained in the CRF does not go beyond the disclosure in the international application as filed or a statement that the information recorded in the ASCII plain text file of the CRF is identical to the sequence listing contained in the international application as filed, as applicable. Such a statement may be made by a registered practitioner, the applicant, an inventor, or the person who actually compares the sequence data on behalf of the aforementioned. See MPEP § 2428 for further information and Sample Statements.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.821(c)(2))Nationals and ResidentsReceiving Office (RO/US)Sequence Listing in PCT
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2422-06-8b0e1e54dbbe81669e803a99]
Requirement for ASCII Sequence Listing CRF
Note:
A statement must be provided that the information in the CRF matches the sequence listing in the international application as filed.

When a separate computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing” is submitted in an application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) because the “Sequence Listing” is filed as a PDF image file (37 CFR 1.821(c)(2)) or on physical sheets of paper (37 CFR 1.821(c)(3)) (see 37 CFR 1.821(e)(1)(i)) or filed in a national stage application submitted under 35 U.S.C. 371 because the “Sequence Listing” is filed as a PDF image file (37 CFR 1.821(c)(2)) or on physical sheets of paper (37 CFR 1.821(c)(3)) and not also as an ASCII plain text file in compliance with 37 CFR 1.824 (see 37 CFR 1.821(e)(2)(i)), 37 CFR 1.821(e)(1)(ii) and (2)(ii) require, a statement that the information contained in the “Sequence Listing” and the separate CRF are identical. When a CRF is submitted in the international stage of an international application under the PCT in response to an notice requesting a ASCII plain text formatted sequence listing by the United States International Searching Authority or by the United States International Preliminary Examining Authority because a sequence listing in ASCII plain text format in compliance with 37 CFR 1.824 has not been filed (see 37 CFR 1.821(e)(3)(i)), 37 CFR 1.821(e)(3)(iii) requires a statement that the information contained in the CRF does not go beyond the disclosure in the international application as filed or a statement that the information recorded in the ASCII plain text file of the CRF is identical to the sequence listing contained in the international application as filed, as applicable. Such a statement may be made by a registered practitioner, the applicant, an inventor, or the person who actually compares the sequence data on behalf of the aforementioned. See MPEP § 2428 for further information and Sample Statements.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.821(c)(2))Nationals and ResidentsReceiving Office (RO/US)International Searching Authority (ISA)
Topic

Sequence Listing Content

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2422-06-05221fda7b8ecf080a1b9de5]
Requirement for Sequence Listing Statement
Note:
This rule requires applicants to provide a statement regarding the information contained in the sequence listing and separate computer readable form, but does not apply to applications filed on or after July 1, 2022.

[Editor Note: This section is not applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2022, having disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences as defined in 37 CFR 1.831(b). See MPEP §§ 2412 – 2419 for guidance on WIPO ST.26 requirements for applications filed on or after July 1, 2022.]

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

Oath/Declaration in National Stage

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2422-06-84b6031b280d9bcb65b3c711]
Statement Required for Sequence Listing and CRF Identity
Note:
A statement must be provided that the information in the sequence listing matches the separate computer readable form, as required by MPEP § 2428.

When a separate computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing” is submitted in an application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) because the “Sequence Listing” is filed as a PDF image file (37 CFR 1.821(c)(2)) or on physical sheets of paper (37 CFR 1.821(c)(3)) (see 37 CFR 1.821(e)(1)(i)) or filed in a national stage application submitted under 35 U.S.C. 371 because the “Sequence Listing” is filed as a PDF image file (37 CFR 1.821(c)(2)) or on physical sheets of paper (37 CFR 1.821(c)(3)) and not also as an ASCII plain text file in compliance with 37 CFR 1.824 (see 37 CFR 1.821(e)(2)(i)), 37 CFR 1.821(e)(1)(ii) and (2)(ii) require, a statement that the information contained in the “Sequence Listing” and the separate CRF are identical. When a CRF is submitted in the international stage of an international application under the PCT in response to an notice requesting a ASCII plain text formatted sequence listing by the United States International Searching Authority or by the United States International Preliminary Examining Authority because a sequence listing in ASCII plain text format in compliance with 37 CFR 1.824 has not been filed (see 37 CFR 1.821(e)(3)(i)), 37 CFR 1.821(e)(3)(iii) requires a statement that the information contained in the CRF does not go beyond the disclosure in the international application as filed or a statement that the information recorded in the ASCII plain text file of the CRF is identical to the sequence listing contained in the international application as filed, as applicable. Such a statement may be made by a registered practitioner, the applicant, an inventor, or the person who actually compares the sequence data on behalf of the aforementioned. See MPEP § 2428 for further information and Sample Statements.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.821(c)(2))Oath/Declaration in National StageSignature RequirementsSequence Listing Format
Topic

Copy Quality

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2422-06-193dedc1bc4c34dbfca8f2f1]
ASCII Plain Text File Serves as Both Sequence Listing and CRF
Note:
For applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) and 35 U.S.C. 371, an ASCII plain text file serves both as the required sequence listing and computer readable form if not submitted in PDF or on physical sheets.

Note that, in an application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), if a “Sequence Listing” is filed as an ASCII plain text file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system or on a read-only optical disc under 37 CFR 1.52(e), and applicant has not filed a “Sequence Listing” as a PDF image file or on physical sheets of paper, the ASCII plain text file will serve as both the “Sequence Listing” required by 37 CFR 1.821(c) and the computer readable form (CRF) required by 37 CFR 1.821(e) (37 CFR 1.821(e)(1)). Also, in a national stage application submitted under 35 U.S.C. 371, if a “Sequence Listing” is filed as an ASCII plain text file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system or on a read-only optical disc under 37 CFR 1.52(e), the ASCII plain text file will serve as both the “Sequence Listing” required by 37 CFR 1.821(c) and the computer readable form (CRF) required by 37 CFR 1.821(e). See MPEP § 2422.03(a), subsection I, for additional information. See also MPEP § 2422.03(a) subsection IV, for additional information regarding international stage applications. Thus, for applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) and 35 U.S.C. 371, the following are not required and should not be submitted: (1) a second copy of the “Sequence Listing” as a PDF image file or on physical sheets of paper; and (2) a statement under 37 CFR 1.821(e)(1)(ii) or (2)(ii) (indicating that the sequence information contained in the “Sequence Listing” under 37 CFR 1.821(c) and CRF copy of the “Sequence Listing” under 37 CFR 1.821(e)(1)(ii) or (2)(ii) are identical).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.52(e)Copy QualityNationals and ResidentsReceiving Office (RO/US)

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Copy Quality
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
35 U.S.C. § 111(a)
Copy Quality
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
35 U.S.C. § 371
Copy Quality37 CFR § 1.52(e)
Copy Quality37 CFR § 1.821(c)
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
37 CFR § 1.821(c)(2)
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
37 CFR § 1.821(c)(3)
Copy Quality37 CFR § 1.821(e)
Copy Quality37 CFR § 1.821(e)(1)
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
37 CFR § 1.821(e)(1)(i)
Copy Quality
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
37 CFR § 1.821(e)(1)(ii)
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
37 CFR § 1.821(e)(2)(i)
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
37 CFR § 1.821(e)(3)(i)
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
37 CFR § 1.821(e)(3)(iii)
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
37 CFR § 1.824
Sequence Listing Content37 CFR § 1.831(b)
Sequence Listing ContentMPEP § 2412
Copy QualityMPEP § 2422.03(a)
Nationals and Residents
Oath/Declaration in National Stage
MPEP § 2428

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