Why is the XML declaration important in a Sequence Listing XML?

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.

The XML declaration is crucial in a Sequence Listing XML because it provides essential information about the XML document. As required by MPEP 2413.01(c) and WIPO Standard ST.26, the declaration:

• Specifies the XML version being used (1.0)
• Defines the character encoding (UTF-8)

This information ensures that the XML file can be properly parsed and interpreted by patent office systems and other software. It’s a critical component for maintaining consistency and compatibility in the processing of sequence listings across different patent offices and systems.