What is included and what is not

Included

  • A full technical description written to support later claims, not a cover sheet on a slide deck
  • Up to 10 figures prepared from your sketches or diagrams
  • Draft claims to anchor the scope (not required for a provisional, but they shape the full application)
  • Filing with the USPTO and the official filing receipt
  • A calendar entry and reminders for the 12-month conversion deadline
  • A fixed quote for the non-provisional or PCT filing

Not included

  • USPTO fees (small and micro entity fees apply to most start-ups; check the USPTO fee schedule)
  • Foreign filing (see the application product)
  • Prosecution: a provisional is not examined

Who it is for

For

  • Start-ups about to publish, demo, pitch or ship
  • Research teams with a conference deadline
  • Companies that need a priority date while deciding where to file

Not for

  • Inventions that will not be developed further within twelve months
  • Applicants outside the United States who need a first filing in their home office for security-review reasons (we advise on this first)

The path from provisional to national phases

0 mo12 mo18 mo30 moProvisional filedpriority dateFull application or PCTclaims priorityPCT publicationapplication publicNational phasesJP, TW, SG, UK, CA, AUtwelve months to decidePCT keeps most countries openEach stage is quoted before you commit. Official and agents' fees at cost.

What the document does

Clause summaries. The product delivers the drafted and reviewed document, not a template.

SpecificationA description complete enough that the later claims are supported; this is where cheap provisionals fail
FiguresBlock diagrams, flowcharts, architecture and timing diagrams as required
Draft claimsIndependent and dependent claims drafted now so the full application is a conversion, not a rewrite
Inventorship recordWho contributed to which claim, recorded for the declaration later
Conversion planDeadline, budget and jurisdictions for the non-provisional or PCT

How it runs

  1. Disclosure

    Structured disclosure form and a one-hour interview with the practitioner.

  2. Draft

    Specification, figures and draft claims prepared on the workflow and revised by the practitioner.

  3. Your review

    One round of comments.

  4. Filing

    Filed at the USPTO; receipt and priority date recorded in your matter and IP portfolio.

  5. Conversion reminder

    Reminders at 9, 11 and 11.5 months, with the fixed quote for the next step.

✓
Filed by
A USPTO-registered patent practitioner drafts and files.

Price by office

OfficePrice
United StatesUS$2,500

Questions

Is a provisional a patent?

No. It secures a filing date for what it describes. You must file a full application within twelve months or the date is lost.

Can I say patent pending?

Yes, once the provisional is filed, for what it describes.

What are the USPTO fees?

They depend on entity size and change; most start-ups qualify as small or micro entities. The fee is shown at filing and passed through at cost.

Can you file in Japan or Taiwan first instead?

Some countries require a first filing at home for residents; the assessment covers this. We coordinate first filings in Japan, Taiwan and Singapore through registered agents there.

What if I improve the invention after filing?

File another provisional covering the improvement; the full application can claim both within twelve months of the first.

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