What are the requirements for translations of non-English language prior art in patent applications?
According to MPEP 901.05(d), translations of non-English language prior art must meet specific requirements:
- The translation must be a complete translation of the entire document, including the abstract, text, and all figures.
- If the translation is a machine translation, it should be identified as such.
- The translation should be accurate and reliable.
- The original foreign language document should be made of record along with the translation.
The MPEP states: “Examiners may rely on a machine translation of a foreign language document unless the machine translation is not of sufficient quality to be adequate evidence of the contents of the document.”
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