Provisional and Complete specifications under Patent Act

In the context of patent law, a “provisional specification” is a temporary patent application that allows an inventor to establish an early effective filing date for a subsequent nonprovisional patent application. A provisional specification typically includes a description of the invention and may include drawings or other forms of representation, but is not required to include claims (i.e., the legally binding definitions of the scope of the invention). A provisional specification is typically used to establish an early effective filing date for the invention, which can be important for establishing priority over later-filed competing patents.

A “complete specification,” also known as a “nonprovisional specification,” is a formal patent application that includes a detailed description of the invention and one or more claims. This application has to be made before the expiry of 12 months from the date of filing of the provisional specification. The complete specification is examined and if found to be in compliance with patent laws, a patent may be granted.

Provisional and complete specifications serve different purposes in the patent process, but both are important for protecting an inventor’s rights to their invention and establishing priority over competing patents.

Table of Contents

Provisional Patent Application

A provisional patent application is a type of patent application that is filed with a government agency, typically a national patent office, to establish an early effective filing date for an invention. It is a preliminary version of a patent application that allows inventors to test the market for an invention and to seek funding before committing to the time and expense of a non-provisional patent application.

One of the main advantages of a provisional patent application is that it allows inventors to “mark” their invention with a priority date of the provisional patent application. This data can later be used as the earliest priority date in a non-provisional patent application. This allows the inventor to claim an earlier date of invention in case of any disputes over patentability with other parties.

It is important to note that a provisional patent application does not itself result in the grant of a patent. It is only a placeholder for an invention, and it must be converted into a non-provisional patent application within 12 months from the date of filing, or else the application will be abandoned. Once the non-provisional application is filed, it will go through the examination process, after which the patent will be granted if all the requirements are met.

The provisional patent application can be useful for inventors who are in the early stages of development, or who need more time to decide whether to invest in a full patent application. It is also a useful tool for inventors who are seeking to raise capital or license their invention, as it allows them to demonstrate that they have a priority date for their invention.

A provisional patent application provides inventors with a cost-effective way to establish an early effective filing date for their invention while they continue to develop and test the invention. By filing a provisional patent application, inventors can claim an earlier date of invention, which can be important in the event of any disputes over patentability with other parties.

One of the main advantages of a provisional patent application is that it allows inventors to “mark” their invention with a priority date of the provisional patent application, and this date is used as the earliest priority date in a non-provisional patent application. This means that if someone else begins to develop a similar invention after the date the provisional patent application was filed, the inventor with the provisional patent application can assert their earlier priority date and possibly prevent the other party from getting a patent.

Provisional patent applications also give inventors a 12-month period to evaluate the commercial potential of the invention, seek funding and partners, and further develop the invention before committing to the time and expense of a non-provisional patent application.

A provisional patent application typically includes a written description of the invention and any necessary drawings or diagrams, but it doesn’t require the same level of detail and formal requirements as a non-provisional patent application. This means the inventors may not have to provide a full detailed description of the invention and formal drawings, but at the same time, it should include enough information for a person skilled in the art to understand the invention and how to make and use it.

It is important to note that a provisional patent application is not examined by the patent office and does not result in the grant of a patent. Instead, it serves as a placeholder for an invention, and it must be converted into a non-provisional patent application within 12 months from the date of filing, or else the application will be abandoned. Additionally, it is not recognized in all countries, and filing in one country will not provide you with any protection in another country.

Reason to File Provisional Specification

There are several reasons why an inventor may choose to file a provisional specification, including:

Establishing an early effective filing date: By filing a provisional specification, an inventor can establish an early effective filing date for their invention, which can be used as the priority date in a later filed non-provisional specification. This can be important in the event of any disputes over patentability with other parties, as the inventor can assert their earlier priority date to prevent others from getting a patent for a similar invention.
Testing the market: A provisional specification allows inventors to test the market for their invention and gather feedback from potential customers before committing to the time and expense of a non-provisional specification. This can help the inventor determine if there is a real need for the invention and whether there is a viable market for it.
Raising capital: A provisional specification can be used to demonstrate to investors and potential partners that the inventor has a priority date for their invention and can be used to raise capital or to license the invention.
Cost-effective: Filing a provisional specification is typically less expensive than filing a non-provisional specification, making it a cost-effective option for inventors who are in the early stages of development or who are not yet certain that they want to invest in a full patent application.
Time: A provisional specification allows inventors to gain some time to make the decision of whether they want to invest in a full patent application and make necessary changes in the invention as well. Additionally, as provisional applications do not have the same level of formal requirements, the time required to prepare the application is also less.

It is important to note that while a provisional specification has several advantages, it is not examined by the patent office and does not result in the grant of a patent. Inventors must file a non-provisional specification within 12 months from the date of filing of the provisional specification, or the application will be abandoned.

Contents of Provisional Specification

A provisional specification, also known as a provisional patent application, is a preliminary version of a patent application that establishes an early effective filing date for an invention and serves as a placeholder for an invention. The contents of a provisional specification typically include:

Title: A brief, descriptive title that accurately describes the invention.
Description: A written description of the invention, including its purpose, function, and any necessary drawings or diagrams. The description should be enough to enable a person skilled in the art to understand the invention and how to make and use it, without the need for undue experimentation.
Claims: While claims are not necessary for a provisional specification, it is advisable to include them, as the claims will be used to define the legal boundaries of the invention and define the invention’s scope of protection.
Abstract: A brief summary of the invention’s technical field, background, a summary of the invention, detailed description and claims
Inventor information: The name, address and other identifying information of the inventor.
Priority Document: If the invention builds upon an earlier filed application, the priority document for that application can be included in the provisional specification.

The main goal of a provisional specification is to establish an early effective filing date for the invention, so it doesn’t need to be as detailed or formal as a non-provisional specification. However, it should include enough information for a person skilled in the art to understand the invention and how to make and use it. It is also important to note that while a provisional specification is less expensive and less formal than a non-provisional specification, it should still be prepared with care and attention to detail to ensure that it accurately and fully describes the invention.

In conclusion, a provisional specification is a cost-effective and flexible option for inventors who are in the early stages of developing their invention or who are not yet certain that they want to invest in a full patent application. It allows them to establish an early effective filing date for their invention, test the market for their invention, raise capital or seek partners, and have more time to decide whether to invest in a full patent application. It is important to note that while a provisional specification is less expensive and less formal than a non-provisional specification, it should still be prepared with care and attention to detail to ensure that it accurately and fully describes the invention. Additionally, inventors must file a non-provisional specification within 12 months from the date of filing of the provisional specification, or the application will be abandoned. It is advisable to consult with a patent attorney to evaluate the best strategy for protecting an invention. Overall, a provisional specification can be a valuable tool for inventors looking to protect their intellectual property and bring their inventions to market.

Complete specifications

A complete specification, also known as a non-provisional specification, is a detailed description of an invention that is included in a patent application. It is a formal document that provides a complete and clear description of the invention and its functioning, including the technical field to which it belongs, the background of the invention, and the advantages provided by the invention. It also includes any necessary drawings or diagrams that will help explain the invention and a set of claims that define the legal boundaries of the invention and define the invention’s scope of protection.

The complete specification should be written in clear and concise language so that it can be understood by someone who is not an expert in the field. It should be detailed enough that a person skilled in the art should be able to make and use the invention without the need of undue experimentation. It should also not include any information that is not directly related to the invention and should not include any trade secrets or confidential information, as it is a public document once the patent is granted.

Once the complete specification is filed, it will go through the examination process by the patent office, during which the patent examiners will review the specification to ensure that it meets all the requirements for patentability, such as novelty, non-obviousness, and usefulness. If the patent is granted, the inventor will be given exclusive rights to the invention for a certain period of time.

Reasons to File Complete Specification

There are several reasons why an inventor may choose to file a complete specification, also known as a non-provisional specification, including:

Obtaining a patent: A complete specification is the formal patent application which is examined by the patent office, if it meets all the requirements, the patent will be granted, and the inventor will be given exclusive rights to the invention for a certain period of time.
Defining the scope of protection: The claims included in the complete specification define the legal boundaries of the invention and define the invention’s scope of protection.
Legal protection: A granted patent provides legal protection for the inventor’s invention, and allows the inventor to sue infringers of the patent.
Excluding others from making, using, or selling the invention: Once a patent is granted, no one else can make, use, or sell the invention without the inventor’s permission.
Licensing and Commercializing the invention: With a granted patent, the inventor can license the invention to others or commercialize the invention by producing and selling it themselves.
A complete specification can also be used to support a foreign patent application by claiming priority from the non-provisional application.

It’s important to note that a complete specification is a formal and detailed document, and it should be prepared with great care and attention to detail. It is also typically more expensive to file than a provisional specification, and it should be filed after the inventor has tested the market, gathered feedback and has a more definite plan for the invention. Additionally, it’s advisable to consult with a patent attorney or agent to ensure that the complete specification is properly prepared and filed.

Contents of complete Specification

There are several reasons why an inventor may choose to file a complete specification, also known as a non-provisional specification, including:

Obtaining a patent: A complete specification is the formal patent application which is examined by the patent office, if it meets all the requirements, the patent will be granted, and the inventor will be given exclusive rights to the invention for a certain period of time.
Defining the scope of protection: The claims included in the complete specification define the legal boundaries of the invention and define the invention’s scope of protection.
Legal protection: A granted patent provides legal protection for the inventor’s invention, and allows the inventor to sue infringers of the patent.
Excluding others from making, using, or selling the invention: Once a patent is granted, no one else can make, use, or sell the invention without the inventor’s permission.
Licensing and Commercializing the invention: With a granted patent, the inventor can license the invention to others or commercialize the invention by producing and selling it themselves.
A complete specification can also be used to support a foreign patent application by claiming priority from the non-provisional application.

It is important that the specification should enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention without the need for undue experimentation. It should also be written in clear and concise language so that it can be understood by someone who is not an expert in the field. A proper specification can be a key factor in the success of a patent application, it should be prepared with great care and attention to detail.

It’s also worth mentioning that a specification should not include any information that is not directly related to the invention, and should not include any trade secrets or confidential information. As it is a public document once the patent is granted and will be available to anyone.

Difference between provisional specification and complete specifications

A provisional specification and a complete specification are both types of patent applications that are filed with a government agency, typically a national patent office, to protect an invention. However, there are some key differences between the two:

Purpose: The main purpose of a provisional specification is to establish an early effective filing date for an invention and serve as a placeholder for an invention, while the main purpose of a complete specification is to obtain a patent for an invention.
Level of detail: A provisional specification typically includes a written description of the invention and any necessary drawings or diagrams, but it doesn’t require the same level of detail and formal requirements as a complete specification. A complete specification, on the other hand, is a formal and detailed document that provides a complete and clear description of the invention and its functioning, including the technical field to which it belongs, the background of the invention, and the advantages provided by the invention.
Examination: A provisional specification is not examined by the patent office, while a complete specification is examined by the patent office to ensure that it meets all the requirements for patentability, such as novelty, non-obviousness, and usefulness.
Legal protection: A provisional specification does not itself result in the grant of a patent, while a complete specification if it meets the examination requirements, results in the grant of a patent and provides legal protection for the inventor’s invention.
Time frame: A provisional specification must be converted into a complete specification within 12 months from the date of filing or else the application will be abandoned. A complete specification is valid for 20 years from the date of filing.
Cost: A provisional specification is typically less expensive to file than a complete specification.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both provisional and complete specifications are important tools for inventors looking to protect their intellectual property and bring their inventions to market. A provisional specification serves as a placeholder for an invention, allows an inventor to establish an early effective filing date for the invention, test the market for their invention, raise capital or seek partners, and have more time to decide whether to invest in a full patent application. A complete specification is the formal patent application, which is examined by the patent office, and if it meets all the requirements, the patent will be granted, and the inventor will be given exclusive rights to the invention for a certain period.

It includes a detailed and formal description of the invention, including its purpose, function, and any necessary drawings or diagrams as well as a set of claims defining the legal boundaries of the invention and its scope of protection. Each type of patent application has its own advantages, and the best strategy for protecting an invention will depend on the specific circumstances of the inventor and their invention. It is advisable to consult with a patent attorney or agent to evaluate the best strategy for protecting an invention.