If you've come up with a great invention, you may want to protect it by filing a Provisional Patent Application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. It costs under $300 to file, and can be prepared without the help of a patent attorney. A Provisional Patent Application buys the inventor time to figure out how to capitalize on his idea and secures a priority filing date should he ever need to prove ownership rights to the idea.
Visit the USPTO website and print the Provisional Application for Patent Cover Sheet. The following information must be included with the PPA, in order for a filing date to be recorded, thus it's advisable to use the form provided by the USPTO: the name(s) of all inventors, inventor residence(s), the title of the invention and a correspondence address.
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Draft a detailed description and drawings, which will explain and illustrate your invention. A formal patent claim, oath or declaration or any information disclosure statement are not required components of a PPA.
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Prepare the fee for filing a Provisional Patent Application, which is $220 for large entity and $110 for small entity. If the description exceeds 100 sheets, a fee of $50 is required for each additional 50 sheets. Consult the USPTO Fee Schedule to confirm the required fees.
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Combine all the documents -- cover sheet, description, drawings and applicable fee -- and mail to the USPTO at:
Commissioner for Patents
P. O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
Tips & Warnings
A Provisional Patent Application provides protection for 12 months and provides authorization to use the "Patent Pending" notice in connection with the invention. Before the year is up, a Non-Provisional Patent Application must be filed with the USPTO. At this stage, it is advisable to consult with a patent attorney and have the application professionally drafted, filed and prosecuted.
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