Provisional Patent Applications

Secure a priority date without overbuilding the first filing.

A provisional application can create a 12-month bridge for product development, fundraising, market testing, and later non-provisional drafting.

Best for

  • Startups that need to discuss an invention with investors or partners.
  • Product teams still iterating before full non-provisional drafting.
  • Inventors that need a lower-cost first filing before a 12-month conversion decision.
  • Companies building a portfolio around multiple product iterations.

Included in scope

  • Disclosure review and filing strategy call.
  • Lean provisional draft focused on technical disclosure and priority support.
  • One standard revision cycle.
  • USPTO provisional filing coordination.
  • 12-month conversion deadline docketing.

How the engagement works

A clear workflow helps keep legal strategy, technical review, and budget aligned.

01

Assess readiness

We confirm whether the technical disclosure is mature enough for a provisional filing.

02

Build disclosure

We organize the invention details, embodiments, alternatives, and figures.

03

File quickly

We file the provisional and confirm the priority-date record.

04

Plan conversion

We track the 12-month non-provisional deadline and next-step strategy.

Common questions

Is a provisional examined by the USPTO?

No. A provisional is not examined and does not become a patent by itself. A non-provisional must be filed within 12 months to pursue patent rights.

Can it be too thin?

Yes. A provisional only supports later claims to the extent it adequately discloses the invention. Lean does not mean incomplete.

Can foreign companies use provisional filings?

Yes, but priority strategy should be coordinated carefully with foreign filing plans and disclosure timing.

Are drawings required?

They are not always required, but useful drawings often improve disclosure quality and later claim support.

Get a scoped patent path before you spend heavily.

We can help identify whether this service fits your invention, deadline, and budget before formal engagement.