Are there language requirements for the InventionTitle element in international applications?

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.

Yes, there are specific language requirements for the InventionTitle element in international applications. According to MPEP 2413.01(i):

“When the USPTO is the Receiving Office (RO/US) for an international application, the English language is required for the InventionTitle element and any other language dependent free text element of the ‘Sequence Listing XML.’”

If a non-English language is used for the InventionTitle element in an application submitted to the USPTO as the Receiving Office, the application will be transferred to the International Bureau under PCT Rule 19.4.