Patent Application Requirements

In 1996, the USPTO amended Rule 77(a) for the order of elements to be included in a utility patent application. Based upon this rule the elements (title and subtitles) for a provisional patent application are as follows:

• Title of Invention
• Background of the Invention
• Field of the Invention
• Description of the Related Art
• Summary of the Invention
• Brief Description of the Drawings
• Description of the Specific Embodiments
• Drawings

In layperson terms, this format takes you through the patent writing process much like the format in our invention disclosure form. Perhaps what's more important is that you make your provisional patent applications as broad as possible. Then it will be much easier to write and file the permanent patent application that reads on the original provisional. Be certain to include all of the inventive subject matter as defined in From Patent to Profit or Patent Writer. You can't go back and add it in later. If you want to save time and make sure you do it right, look into the PatentWizard software and you'll be done in a few hours.