The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is seeking public input regarding the Standard ST.26 minimum length requirement. The Sequence Listings Task Force is currently considering revisions which may impact this requirement as defined in the Standard.
The item in question surrounds the prohibition of “short” sequences in sequence listings. “Short” sequences are defined as any nucleotide sequence with fewer than 10 specifically defined (non-“n”) residues or any amino acid sequence with fewer than four specifically defined (non-“X”) residues.
ST.26 paragraph 8: “A sequence listing must not include, as a sequence assigned its own sequence identification number, any sequences having fewer than ten specifically defined nucleotides, or fewer than four specifically defined amino acids.”
All interested parties are invited to complete the survey by March 31, 2025.