Notice: The uscode.house.gov website is currently operating in a temporary format. While the United States Code remains available from its authoritative source, some website features and functionality are temporarily unavailable.
The United States Code Online is current through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
Search & Browse Currency and Updating Classification Tables Popular Name Tool Positive Law Codification Editorial Reclassification Downloads
28 U.S.C. 1745: Copies of foreign patent documentsText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 28-JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURECHAPTER 115-EVIDENCE; DOCUMENTARY

§1745. Copies of foreign patent documents

Copies of the specifications and drawings of foreign letters patent, or applications for foreign letters patent, and copies of excerpts of the official journals and other official publications of foreign patent offices belonging to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, certified in the manner provided by section 1744 of this title are prima facie evidence of their contents and of the dates indicated on their face.

( June 25, 1948, ch. 646 , 62 Stat. 948 , § 1746; renumbered § 1745, May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 92(e) , 63 Stat. 103 ; Pub. L. 88–619, § 7(a) , Oct. 3, 1964 , 78 Stat. 996 ; amended Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4732(b)(16)] , Nov. 29, 1999 , 113 Stat. 1536 , 1501A–585.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 674 (R.S. § 893).

Changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 1745, act June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 948, related to printed copies of patent specifications and drawings, prior to repeal by act May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 92(d), 63 Stat. 103.

Amendments

1999⁠—Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “United States Patent and Trademark Office” for “United States Patent Office”.

1964⁠—Pub. L. 88–619, among other changes, inserted “or applications for foreign letters patent, and copies of excerpts of the official journals and other official publications of foreign patent offices belonging to the United States Patent Office” in text, and substituted “documents” for “specifications and drawings” in section catchline.

1949⁠—Act May 24, 1949, renumbered section 1746 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–113 effective 4 months after Nov. 29, 1999, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, § 4731] of Pub. L. 106–113, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.