Patent Law FAQ

This FAQ answers all your questions about patent law, patent procedure, and the patent examination process.

c Expand All C Collapse All

MPEP 2400 – Biotechnology (3)

A Sequence Identifier (SEQ ID NO) is a unique number assigned to each disclosed nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequence in a patent application. According to MPEP 2422.01:

37 CFR 1.821(d) and 37 CFR 1.823(a)(5) require that each disclosed nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequence in the application appear separately in the “Sequence Listing”, with each sequence further being assigned a sequence identifier, referred to as “SEQ ID NO:” or the like.

Key points about Sequence Identifiers:

  • They must begin with 1 and increase sequentially by integers.
  • Each sequence must have a different number for identification.
  • Sequences should be presented in numerical order in the “Sequence Listing” where practical.
  • When discussing a sequence in the description or claims, a reference to its SEQ ID NO is required at all occurrences.
  • SEQ ID NOs can be used to discuss or claim parts of a sequence (e.g., “residues 14 to 243 of SEQ ID NO:23”).

The use of SEQ ID NOs provides a shorthand way for applicants to discuss and claim their inventions without restricting how an invention can be claimed.

To learn more:

Sequence identifiers (SEQ ID NOs) are crucial in patent applications containing nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences. According to MPEP 2421.02:

  • Each disclosed nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence must be assigned a unique SEQ ID NO.
  • SEQ ID NOs must be used to identify sequences in the specification, claims, and drawings.
  • The SEQ ID NO should be placed adjacent to the sequence or used in a table correlating sequence names with their corresponding SEQ ID NOs.

The MPEP states: “The rules require that the sequence identifiers must be used in all instances where the sequences are disclosed in a patent application.” This ensures clear and consistent referencing of sequences throughout the application.

To learn more:

A “Sequence Listing” is a separate part of a patent application that contains disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, along with associated information, using a standardized format and symbols. According to MPEP 2421.01, it is required for applications containing disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences that fall within the definitions of 37 CFR 1.821(a).

The MPEP states: 37 CFR 1.821(c) requires that applications containing disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences that fall within the definitions of 37 CFR 1.821(a) contain, as a separate part, a disclosure of the nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, and associated information, using the format and symbols that are set forth in 37 CFR 1.822 and 37 CFR 1.823.

To learn more:

MPEP 2421.01 – Definition Of "Sequence Listing" And Computer Readable Form (Crf) (1)

A “Sequence Listing” is a separate part of a patent application that contains disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, along with associated information, using a standardized format and symbols. According to MPEP 2421.01, it is required for applications containing disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences that fall within the definitions of 37 CFR 1.821(a).

The MPEP states: 37 CFR 1.821(c) requires that applications containing disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences that fall within the definitions of 37 CFR 1.821(a) contain, as a separate part, a disclosure of the nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, and associated information, using the format and symbols that are set forth in 37 CFR 1.822 and 37 CFR 1.823.

To learn more:

MPEP 2421.02 – Summary Of The Requirements Of The Sequence Rules (1)

Sequence identifiers (SEQ ID NOs) are crucial in patent applications containing nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences. According to MPEP 2421.02:

  • Each disclosed nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence must be assigned a unique SEQ ID NO.
  • SEQ ID NOs must be used to identify sequences in the specification, claims, and drawings.
  • The SEQ ID NO should be placed adjacent to the sequence or used in a table correlating sequence names with their corresponding SEQ ID NOs.

The MPEP states: “The rules require that the sequence identifiers must be used in all instances where the sequences are disclosed in a patent application.” This ensures clear and consistent referencing of sequences throughout the application.

To learn more:

MPEP 2422.01 – Nucleotide And/Or Amino Acids Disclosures Requiring A "Sequence Listing" (1)

A Sequence Identifier (SEQ ID NO) is a unique number assigned to each disclosed nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequence in a patent application. According to MPEP 2422.01:

37 CFR 1.821(d) and 37 CFR 1.823(a)(5) require that each disclosed nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequence in the application appear separately in the “Sequence Listing”, with each sequence further being assigned a sequence identifier, referred to as “SEQ ID NO:” or the like.

Key points about Sequence Identifiers:

  • They must begin with 1 and increase sequentially by integers.
  • Each sequence must have a different number for identification.
  • Sequences should be presented in numerical order in the “Sequence Listing” where practical.
  • When discussing a sequence in the description or claims, a reference to its SEQ ID NO is required at all occurrences.
  • SEQ ID NOs can be used to discuss or claim parts of a sequence (e.g., “residues 14 to 243 of SEQ ID NO:23”).

The use of SEQ ID NOs provides a shorthand way for applicants to discuss and claim their inventions without restricting how an invention can be claimed.

To learn more:

Patent Law (3)

A Sequence Identifier (SEQ ID NO) is a unique number assigned to each disclosed nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequence in a patent application. According to MPEP 2422.01:

37 CFR 1.821(d) and 37 CFR 1.823(a)(5) require that each disclosed nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequence in the application appear separately in the “Sequence Listing”, with each sequence further being assigned a sequence identifier, referred to as “SEQ ID NO:” or the like.

Key points about Sequence Identifiers:

  • They must begin with 1 and increase sequentially by integers.
  • Each sequence must have a different number for identification.
  • Sequences should be presented in numerical order in the “Sequence Listing” where practical.
  • When discussing a sequence in the description or claims, a reference to its SEQ ID NO is required at all occurrences.
  • SEQ ID NOs can be used to discuss or claim parts of a sequence (e.g., “residues 14 to 243 of SEQ ID NO:23”).

The use of SEQ ID NOs provides a shorthand way for applicants to discuss and claim their inventions without restricting how an invention can be claimed.

To learn more:

Sequence identifiers (SEQ ID NOs) are crucial in patent applications containing nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences. According to MPEP 2421.02:

  • Each disclosed nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence must be assigned a unique SEQ ID NO.
  • SEQ ID NOs must be used to identify sequences in the specification, claims, and drawings.
  • The SEQ ID NO should be placed adjacent to the sequence or used in a table correlating sequence names with their corresponding SEQ ID NOs.

The MPEP states: “The rules require that the sequence identifiers must be used in all instances where the sequences are disclosed in a patent application.” This ensures clear and consistent referencing of sequences throughout the application.

To learn more:

A “Sequence Listing” is a separate part of a patent application that contains disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, along with associated information, using a standardized format and symbols. According to MPEP 2421.01, it is required for applications containing disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences that fall within the definitions of 37 CFR 1.821(a).

The MPEP states: 37 CFR 1.821(c) requires that applications containing disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences that fall within the definitions of 37 CFR 1.821(a) contain, as a separate part, a disclosure of the nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, and associated information, using the format and symbols that are set forth in 37 CFR 1.822 and 37 CFR 1.823.

To learn more:

Patent Procedure (3)

A Sequence Identifier (SEQ ID NO) is a unique number assigned to each disclosed nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequence in a patent application. According to MPEP 2422.01:

37 CFR 1.821(d) and 37 CFR 1.823(a)(5) require that each disclosed nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequence in the application appear separately in the “Sequence Listing”, with each sequence further being assigned a sequence identifier, referred to as “SEQ ID NO:” or the like.

Key points about Sequence Identifiers:

  • They must begin with 1 and increase sequentially by integers.
  • Each sequence must have a different number for identification.
  • Sequences should be presented in numerical order in the “Sequence Listing” where practical.
  • When discussing a sequence in the description or claims, a reference to its SEQ ID NO is required at all occurrences.
  • SEQ ID NOs can be used to discuss or claim parts of a sequence (e.g., “residues 14 to 243 of SEQ ID NO:23”).

The use of SEQ ID NOs provides a shorthand way for applicants to discuss and claim their inventions without restricting how an invention can be claimed.

To learn more:

Sequence identifiers (SEQ ID NOs) are crucial in patent applications containing nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences. According to MPEP 2421.02:

  • Each disclosed nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence must be assigned a unique SEQ ID NO.
  • SEQ ID NOs must be used to identify sequences in the specification, claims, and drawings.
  • The SEQ ID NO should be placed adjacent to the sequence or used in a table correlating sequence names with their corresponding SEQ ID NOs.

The MPEP states: “The rules require that the sequence identifiers must be used in all instances where the sequences are disclosed in a patent application.” This ensures clear and consistent referencing of sequences throughout the application.

To learn more:

A “Sequence Listing” is a separate part of a patent application that contains disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, along with associated information, using a standardized format and symbols. According to MPEP 2421.01, it is required for applications containing disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences that fall within the definitions of 37 CFR 1.821(a).

The MPEP states: 37 CFR 1.821(c) requires that applications containing disclosures of nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences that fall within the definitions of 37 CFR 1.821(a) contain, as a separate part, a disclosure of the nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences, and associated information, using the format and symbols that are set forth in 37 CFR 1.822 and 37 CFR 1.823.

To learn more: