What is a Provisional Patent?
If there is a valuable invention, it is better to patent it as soon as possible and protect it from infringement. A patent is an ideal way to protect ideas. The provisional patent is an application that can be filed to maintain a patent-pending status. This status can only be sustained for 12 months. In that time, one can seek out manufacturers, sell goods or products, and additionally get the necessary prototypes developed for further upcoming applications.
Since the actual patent has to be filed before the end of 12 months, it is treated as having been applied for on the date that the provisional patent was filed. Moreover, if someone is trying a similar patent after your invention, you will still have patent protection. It is faster and more affordable and not as complicated to complete the application.
Benefits of a Provisional Patent
Provisional Patent
- Minimal Information Required
Even if an invention is at a conceptual frame, a provisional patent only requires to specify the title, designate the field of the invention, its nature, and potential use to file a provisional specification.
- Established Right Early
The provisional patent permits one to book his/her name against an invention, even before it is final. The patent is granted to the person who files it first, rather than the person who discovers it first.
- Assess Market Potential
The provisional specification assists in reaching the market potential and your invention before taking the final plunge and filing a complete specification.
When is a provisional patent used?
The provisional patent can be used when an invention is fully definite, but will likely require further improvements that can be accomplished within a year, this provides a good chance to file a provisional patent application on the existing discovery.
An important thing is that it should be completed within a year so that the non-provisional can be filed with improvements during the pending provisional patent, prior to the subject of the original invention described in the provisional patent can be taken before it is terminated.
Provisional Patent Filing Process in India
Filing a provisional patent application is a crucial one. If you want to prevent others from stealing your invention, it is important to secure an accurate patent application filing date. You should also file if you aren’t yet ready for the full non-provisional patent. You can then use the phrase “patent pending” to explain the invention. A provisional patent application is often filed to protect an idea while the inventor refines and develops the idea.
Step:1
- The issues that you are trying to explain.
- Solutions and problems that are already available with these solutions.
- Technical features for your invention.
- The functionality of the technical features.
- Any alternatives to the proposed solution.
Step 2: Invention Consolidation
- A filled out IDF form is reviewed to identify new technical features.
- This step may include 2-3 iterations to get the invention consolidated for novelty search and specification preparation.
Step 2: Invention Consolidation
- A filled out IDF form is reviewed to identify new technical features.
- This step may include 2-3 iterations to get the invention consolidated for novelty search and specification preparation.
Step 3: Novelty Search
- It helps you to identify new technical features that are unique.
- This step may include 2-3 iterations to get the invention consolidated for novelty search and specification preparation.
Step 4: Patent Specification Preparation
- Once the novelty of the invention is verified, we move forward to prepare the patent specification based on it.
- A patent specification is a techno-legal document and it determines the strength of the prospective patent be granted.
Step 5: Forms Preparation
- We prepare all the required sets of forms to be filed along with Patent Specification.
Step 6: Filing A Patent Application
- Once the novelty of the invention is verified, we move forward to prepare the patent specification based on it.
What is a Provisional Patent Application in India?
A provisional patent application is an introductory step, before filing a regular patent, for getting a type of interim protection. An individual can apply for a provisional patent in India without any formal patent claims. This option is created to provide investors with an inexpensive way to temporarily protect their inventions until they decide to pursue a full patent.
A provisional patent application has a time of twelve months. It is from the date of filing after which the inventor has to file a complete specification to take advantage of the filing date of the provisional application.
How to Write a Provisional Patent?
A provisional patent application is fairly simple, but it must include some of the below requirements:
- A written and accurate description of the invention.
- Drawings or painted figures that promote the invention.
- Text that describes the drawings or figures.
- Your name and contact information.
- A provisional application for the patent cover sheet.
A provisional patent application is not legally binding and it does not patent an invention. However, it gives a full year from the filing date to submit forms and payments that need to make the non-provisional patent a reality. Throughout this time, an invention stays in the “patent pending” status.
What is the requirement for the provisional application for a patent?
Follow the below steps to know the requirements of the provisional patent application:
- A written description of the invention.
- Any necessary illustrations of the invention
- AThe names of all the inventors.
- The filing fee.
- A cover sheet or electronic filing, identifying:
- The application is a provisional patent application.
- Inventor name
- Inventor residence
- Title of the invention
How to write a provisional patent application in India?
Here are some simple steps that you should know to write the provisional patent application:
- Review and compare existing patents.
- Download the forms such as Form 1 and Form 2 form the Indian patent office website.
- Fill the relevant details including the title of the invention and name of the applicant and inventors. In Form 2 write ‘Provisional Specification’, title, and the applicant’s name.
- Plan the document before writing anything, making an online and listing all points that need to be covered.
- Use a readable typeface and fonts. Write about the patent that has been invented.
- Divide the application into segments, and then divide those sections into smaller sections if needed.
- Use numerals instead of spelling out numbers.
- Try to simplify any wordy phrases without writing claims, with the complete specification.
- Organize the document’s contents by order of importance and pay the relevant fees.
- Invention title.
- Technical field.
- Prior art and background information.
- Representation of ‘how the invention addresses a problem’.
- List of drawings or figures.
- Detailed description.
A strong description for a provisional application patent should always include the following elements in this order:
Frequently Asked Questions
A provisional patent can’t be searched online since it isn’t published. This is because provisional applications do not hold any patent rights and they are just used to get a preference patent filing date.
On average, it takes between four to six years from applying in India to get provisional patent approval.
Once the patent is filed, you cannot make any changes to the provisional patent. But on a non-provisional patent, you can add new information and then have the priority of the non-provisional for the rest.
Yes, there is an option for selling a provisional patent application. You can also license them. A provisional patent includes a specification, which is a description, and a drawing of an invention. Moreover, drawings are required when it is necessary for understanding the subject matter that is sought to be patented.
