What is the requirement for exclusive conformance in sequence disclosures?
The requirement for exclusive conformance in sequence disclosures is outlined in 37 CFR 1.821(b), which states that all applications disclosing nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequences falling within the definition set forth in 37 CFR 1.821(a) must conform exclusively to the requirements of 37 CFR 1.821 through 37 CFR 1.825. This requirement applies to the manner in which the disclosed nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences are presented and described.
As stated in the MPEP: “This requirement is necessary to minimize any confusion that could result if more than one format for representing sequence data was employed in a given application.” This ensures consistency and clarity in the presentation of sequence data across patent applications.
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