How to Cite a Patent in CSE (8th Edition)

This guide explains how to format a patent citation in CSE (8th Edition). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a patent in CSE (8th Edition):

Template

Inventor(s). Year. Title of patent. Country patent number. [accessed Year Mon Day]. URL.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Johnson 2022)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Johnson LK. 2022. System and method for adaptive neural network training. United States patent US 11,345,678. [accessed 2026 Mar 28]. https://patents.google.com/patent/US11345678B2.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the inventor(s)
List the inventor(s) as Last Name followed by initials with no periods.
2
Add the year
Use the year the patent was issued, followed by a period.
3
Write the patent title
Use sentence case. Do not italicize. End with a period.
4
Include the patent number
Write the country name and patent number.
5
Add access date and URL
Include the access date in square brackets and the URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Italicizing the patent title (CSE does not use italics).
Using headline-style capitalization instead of sentence case.
Adding periods between inventor initials.
Using the filing date instead of the issue date.
Omitting the access date for online patents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CSE italicize patent titles?

No. CSE does not use italics for any element in the reference list.

How do I format the patent number in CSE?

Write the full country name followed by 'patent' and the number: United States patent US 11,345,678.

Should I use the filing or issue date?

Use the issue (grant) date as the primary year in the citation.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your patent:

Inventor
Title
Patent Number
Country
Filing Date
Issue Date

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the inventor(s)

List the inventor(s) as Last Name followed by initials with no periods.

Add the year

Use the year the patent was issued, followed by a period.

Write the patent title

Use sentence case. Do not italicize. End with a period.

Include the patent number

Write the country name and patent number.

Add access date and URL

Include the access date in square brackets and the URL.