Enacted into law in June of 1995, the Provisional Patent
application provides one year of internationally recognized
Patent Pending status. It has a simplified filing procedure
and a small filing fee. It is not examined and does not
result in a granted patent, however, while active, its
filing date may be applied to a follow-on utility patent
application. Multiple provisional applications may be
claimed in a single utility patent application. The PPA
is a "place holder" allowing public disclosure
and offer for sale without loss of international patent
rights. Any person may file the PPA.
Preparation fee: $2,000 Filing fees: $110
Pending period: 1 year from filing date
