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How to Cite Patents in ACS Format: Expert Guide

By ACS Citation Team
patents
intellectual property
legal documents
advanced guide

Patents are crucial sources in scientific and technical writing, particularly in chemistry and engineering. This comprehensive guide will help you properly cite patents in ACS format, ensuring your references are accurate and complete.

Basic Patent Citation Format

The standard ACS format for patents is:

Patent Owner(s). Title of Patent. Patent Number, Date.

Example Citations

  1. US Patent:
Smith, J. R.; Johnson, M. B. Method for Synthesizing Organic Compounds. U.S. Patent 12,345,678, June 15, 2024.
  1. International Patent:
Zhang, L.; Liu, R. Novel Catalytic Process. European Patent EP 2,468,135, March 21, 2024.

Elements of Patent Citations

1. Inventor Information

  • List all inventors
  • Last name, then initials
  • Semicolons between names
  • Period after last inventor

2. Patent Title

  • Use exact title
  • Maintain capitalization
  • Include subtitles

3. Patent Details

  • Patent number
  • Issue date
  • Patent type/country

Types of Patent Documents

1. Issued Patents

Inventor(s). Title. Country Patent Number, Month Day, Year.

2. Patent Applications

Inventor(s). Title. Country Patent Application Number, Month Day, Year.

3. Provisional Patents

Inventor(s). Title. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number, Filing Date.

Country-Specific Formats

1. United States Patents

Inventor(s). Title. U.S. Patent Number, Date.

2. European Patents

Inventor(s). Title. European Patent Number, Date.

3. International Patents (PCT)

Inventor(s). Title. International Patent Number, Publication Date.

Special Cases in Patent Citations

1. Assigned Patents

Company Name. Title. Inventor(s). Country Patent Number, Date.

2. Machine Translations

Inventor(s). Title [Language] (translation). Country Patent Number, Date.

3. Related Patents

Inventor(s). Title. Country Patent Number, Date. (See also Related Patent Number)

Digital Patent Resources

1. Online Patents

  • Include database source
  • Add access date
  • Note URL if necessary

2. Patent Databases

  • Google Patents
  • USPTO
  • Espacenet
  • WIPO

3. Digital Identifiers

  • Include DOIs if available
  • Use permanent links
  • Add database numbers

Best Practices for Patent Citations

1. Accuracy

  • Verify patent numbers
  • Check dates
  • Confirm inventor names

2. Completeness

  • Include all inventors
  • Note assignments
  • Add related patents

3. Format

  • Follow ACS style
  • Use standard abbreviations
  • Maintain consistency

Common Citation Mistakes

1. Number Formats

  • Missing zeros
  • Wrong separators
  • Incorrect country codes

2. Date Formats

  • Inconsistent style
  • Wrong order
  • Missing elements

3. Inventor Information

  • Incorrect order
  • Missing names
  • Wrong punctuation

Advanced Patent Citations

1. Family Patents

Inventor(s). Title. Primary Patent Number (Family Members: List), Date.

2. Divisional Patents

Inventor(s). Title. Patent Number, Date (Division of Parent Patent).

3. Reissued Patents

Inventor(s). Title. Reissue Patent Number (Original Patent Number), Date.

Tools for Patent Citations

1. Citation Software

  • Patent-specific tools
  • General citation managers
  • Database exporters

2. Online Resources

Special Considerations

1. Multiple Inventors

  • List all names
  • Use correct order
  • Follow format rules

2. Corporate Inventors

  • Use official names
  • Include locations
  • Note divisions

3. International Patents

  • Use English when possible
  • Include original language
  • Note translations

Practical Tips

1. Finding Patent Information

  • Use official databases
  • Check multiple sources
  • Verify details

2. Organizing Patents

  • Keep detailed records
  • Note relationships
  • Track updates

3. Citing in Text

  • Use consistent format
  • Include key details
  • Cross-reference properly

Conclusion

Proper patent citations are crucial for:

  • Legal accuracy
  • Technical clarity
  • Research integrity

Remember these key points:

  • Verify all information
  • Include required elements
  • Follow format exactly
  • Stay consistent

Need help with patent citations? Use our ACS Citation Generator, which automatically formats patent citations according to ACS guidelines.