What are the main types of national applications under U.S. patent law?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-10 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice. There are two main types of national applications under U.S. patent law: Nonprovisional applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) Provisional applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(b) As stated in the MPEP, Applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) include original nonprovisional utility, plant, design, divisional, continuation, and continuation-in-part applications filed under 37 CFR 1.53(b), reissue applications filed under 37 CFR 1.53(b), and design patent continued prosecution applications (CPAs) filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d). Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Published Upon Approval of Request MPEP 1111 Statutory Invention Registration Mailed to Requester MPEP 1111 Statutory Invention Registration Published in Official Gazette MPEP 1111 Statutory Invention Registration Attributes Must Be Stated MPEP 1111 Statutory Invention Registration Is Not a Patent MPEP 1111 No Term Patent May Be Used for Statutory Invention Registration MPEP 1111 Permitted Statutory Invention Registration Is Not a Patent MPEP 1111 Statutory Invention Registration Numbers Are Sequentially Assigned MPEP 1111 Statutory Invention Registration Published Sequentially MPEP 1111 Published SIR Treated as Patent for Defensive Purposes MPEP 1111 Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse What are the main types of patent applications in the United States? How does an international application designating the United States affect national patent rights? What are the filing date requirements for nonprovisional patent applications? What are the main components required in a nonprovisional patent application? What is the deadline for filing a foreign priority claim in a U.S. patent application?