How should an interim copy of a foreign application be submitted electronically?

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.

Submitting an interim copy of a foreign application electronically involves specific procedures. The MPEP provides guidance:

‘If not provided as a single paper document, the main parts of the interim copy of the foreign priority application, i.e., Abstract, Drawings, Specification, Claims, and where applicable, the foreign patent office’s equivalent to a “Sequence Listing” (see MPEP § 2421.01), a “Sequence Listing XML” (see MPEP § 2412), “Large Tables” (see MPEP § 608.05(b)), or a “Computer Program Listing Appendix” (see MPEP § 608.05(a)), along with the separate cover sheet required by 37 CFR 1.55(j), may be filed as a single PDF image file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system.’

Key points for electronic submission:

• File as a single PDF image file when possible
• Use the document description ‘Interim Copy of the Foreign Priority Application’ when indexing
• For plain text files, use the description ‘Interim Copy of the Foreign Priority (text file)’
• XML files, like Standard ST.26 Sequence Listings, should be filed on a read-only optical disc

Proper indexing and file format selection are crucial for successful electronic submission.

For more information on electronic submission, visit: electronic submission.

For more information on foreign application, visit: foreign application.

For more information on interim copy, visit: interim copy.

For more information on patent procedure, visit: patent procedure.