What are the requirements for using NonEnglishQualifier_value elements in a Sequence Listing?

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 using NonEnglishQualifier_value elements in a Sequence Listing, the following requirements must be met:

1. The appropriate language code must be indicated in the nonEnglishFreeTextLanguageCode attribute in the root element.
2. All NonEnglishQualifier_value elements in a single sequence listing must have values in the language indicated by the nonEnglishFreeTextLanguageCode attribute.
3. The NonEnglishQualifier_value element is only permitted for qualifiers with a language-dependent free text value format.

The MPEP states: “If a NonEnglishQualifier_value element is present in a sequence listing, the appropriate language code (see WIPO Standard ST.26 which references the International Standard ISO 639-1:2002) must be indicated in the nonEnglishFreeTextLanguageCode attribute in the root element.”