MPEP § 1893.01(d) — Translation

Ninth Edition, Revision 01.2024 · last revised R-07.2022

Applicants entering the national stage in the U.S. are required to file an English translation of the international application if the international application was filed in another language and was not published under PCT Article 21(2) in English. 35 U.S.C. 371(c)(2) and 37 CFR 1.495(c). For international applications having an international filing date on or after July 1, 2022, an English translation is required for any sequence listing in XML format (“Sequence Listing XML”) containing non-English language values for any language-dependent free text qualifiers in accordance with 37 CFR 1.831 through 1.834. For international applications having an international filing date before July 1, 2022, a sequence listing need not be translated if the sequence listing complies with PCT Rule 12.1(d) and the description complies with PCT Rule 5.2(b). See 37 CFR 1.495(c). The translation must be a translation of the international application as filed or with any changes which have been properly accepted under PCT Rule 26 or any rectifications which have been properly accepted under PCT Rule 91. A translation of less than all of the international application (e.g., a translation that fails to include a translation of text contained in the drawings or a translation that includes a translation of claims amended under PCT Article 19 or 34 but does not include a translation of the original claims) is unacceptable. In addition, a translation that includes modifications other than changes that have been properly accepted under PCT Rule 26 or 91 (e.g., a translation that includes headings that were not present in the international application as originally filed) is unacceptable. A translation of words contained in the drawings must be furnished either in the form of new drawings or in the form of a copy of the original drawings with the translation pasted on the original text matter. See PCT Rule 49.5(d).

Amendments, even those considered to be minor or to not include new matter, may not be incorporated into the translation. If an amendment to the international application as filed is desired for the national stage, it may be submitted in accordance with 37 CFR 1.121. An amendment filed under 37 CFR 1.121 should be submitted within 3 months from the date the national stage is entered as set forth 37 CFR 1.491. See 37 CFR 1.115(b)(3)(iii). If applicant has timely paid the basic national fee and submitted the copy of the international application but the translation is missing or is defective, a Notification of Missing Requirements (PCT/DO/EO/905) will be sent to applicant setting a period to correct any missing or defective requirements. The time period is 32 months from the priority date or 2 months from the date of the notice, whichever expires later. The time period may be extended for up to five additional months as provided in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A processing fee is required for accepting a translation after 30 months from the priority date. See 37 CFR 1.492(i).

Pursuant to PCT Rule 48.3(c), if the international application is published in a language other than English, the publication shall include an English translation of the title of the invention, the abstract, and any text matter pertaining to the figure or figures accompanying the abstract. The translations shall be prepared under the responsibility of the International Bureau.

A translation of the international application as filed and identified as provided in 37 CFR 1.417 submitted for the purpose of obtaining provisional rights pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 154(d)(4) can be relied on to fulfill the translation requirement under 35 U.S.C. 371(c)(2) in a national stage application.