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.
To properly identify foreign priority applications in a patent application, applicants should follow the guidelines provided by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The MPEP states:
To ensure an accurate and complete citation of a foreign priority application, applicants should review the list of the various intellectual property offices and the recommended presentation of a foreign application number for each, which can be found in the tables of the online WIPO Handbook on Industrial Property Information and Documentation
Specifically, applicants should refer to:
- Part 7: Examples and Industrial Property Offices Practices
- Part 7.2.1: Presentation of Application Numbers
These resources provide the recommended format for citing foreign application numbers, ensuring accurate and complete relationships among patent documents.