Are there different basic types of utility patent applications?
There are two basic types – the non-provisional and the provisional application. Both types of applications are held in confidence, however they are very different! A patent application is examined for patentability, whereas a provisional patent is never examined (except in court). It is our opinion that a provisional patent application is misnamed, and should be more properly considered a provisional filing, since it has very few of the advantages of a traditional utility patent application. An application for a design patent must be filed as a non-provisional application.
