Definition
A provisional patent application is a preliminary filing that establishes a priority date without requiring formal claims, and it expires 12 months after filing unless a non-provisional application is filed.
Why It Matters Legally
A provisional locks in an early filing date cheaply while an inventor refines the invention or seeks funding. Missing the 12-month deadline forfeits that date, so tracking the timeline is critical to preserving rights.
Example Use Case
A startup files a provisional application to secure its filing date before pitching investors, then files a full non-provisional application 11 months later.
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Related Terms
Non-Provisional Application, Priority Date, Patent Application, Filing Date, Patent Pending