What is a Provisional Patent?

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks.  A provisional patent application is a legal document filed in the USPTO that establishes an early filing date, but does not mature into an issued patent unless the applicant files a regular non-provisional patent application within 1 year.  Once the provisional patent application is filed, the term “patent pending” may be used in association with the description of the invention.

 There are a few good business reasons for submitting a provisional patent:

1. It allows the business to use “Patent Pending” status on all of its business materials, which will typically increase quality sales prospects.
2. It allows the business to achieve a “first to file” legal status protecting the invention from others seeking a patent for the same invention.  
3. Investors are more likely to take you seriously with a patent pending.

If you have an invention, consider filing a provisional patent to protect it while building your customer base.  Contact an attorney to discuss patent ability and general strategies for your intellectual property.  Our patent and trademark attorney can help by emailing us at info@in2edge.com.

Written by Intuitive Edge Team

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