What is the difference between a provisional and nonprovisional patent application?
A. Provisional applications require less information and less structure, and they provide a filing date at the Patent Office to make your invention patent pending. However, they are NOT examined by the Patent Office, and they expire in one year. The ONLY way to get a patent is to file a nonprovisional patent application. Do-It-Yourself Provisional Patent will teach you how to draft and file a provisional patent application, and Do-It-Yourself Patent Course will teach you how to draft and file a nonprovisional patent application.
