What are the line length and pagination requirements for sequence listings in ASCII text files?

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.

When preparing a sequence listing as an ASCII text file, it’s essential to follow specific formatting guidelines for line length and pagination. According to MPEP 2425:

“The line length must not exceed 74 characters, including spaces. No page numbering should be included in the sequence listing.”

This requirement ensures that the sequence listing is easily readable and processable by the USPTO systems. Here are key points to remember:

• Maximum line length: 74 characters (including spaces)
• No page numbers should be included
• Each line should end with a carriage return and line feed (ASCII 13 and 10)

Adhering to these formatting guidelines is crucial for the proper submission and processing of your sequence listing. Failure to comply may result in the need for corrections or resubmission of the sequence listing.