When are machine translations acceptable for foreign language documents in patent examination?
Machine translations are generally acceptable for use in patent examination under certain conditions. According to MPEP 901.05(d):
However, it’s important to note that:
- Examiners should review the machine translation to ensure it’s adequate for understanding the document’s relevance to the claimed invention.
- If the machine translation is unclear or insufficient, a human translation may be necessary.
- The original foreign language document should be made of record along with the machine translation.
To learn more: