A provisional patent application (PPA) is a temporary application filed with the USPTO that allows you to establish an early filing date for your invention. It provides protection for 12 months and gives you time to further develop your invention before filing a full non-provisional application. Filing a PPA is an affordable way to secure your patent rights while evaluating the commercial viability of your idea.

Our provisional patent application service starts at $499. This includes the drafting of the application, filing with the USPTO, and assistance throughout the process to ensure your invention is clearly described and protected. Additional USPTO filing fees may apply depending on your business status (small entity, micro entity, or standard).

To draft your provisional patent application, you’ll need to provide a detailed description of your invention, including how it works, its unique features, and any drawings or illustrations. We’ll work closely with you to ensure the application is thorough and captures the key aspects of your invention to maximize protection.

Once your provisional patent application is filed, you will have 12 months to file a non-provisional (formal) patent application with the USPTO to claim the priority date established by the PPA. During this time, you can use the term “patent pending” and seek investors or market your invention. However, the provisional patent does not grant full patent rights until the non-provisional is filed and approved.

No, once a provisional patent application is filed, it cannot be amended. However, you can file additional provisional applications for improvements or changes to your invention. When filing the non-provisional application, you can combine all these improvements and enhancements to reflect the most current version of your invention.