What are the special types of national applications?

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.

The MPEP 201.01 mentions several special types of national applications:

1. Provisional applications (35 U.S.C. 111(b))
2. Reissue applications (35 U.S.C. 251)
3. Design applications (35 U.S.C. 171)
4. Plant applications (35 U.S.C. 161)

These applications have specific requirements and purposes. For example, provisional applications provide a way to establish an early effective filing date, while reissue applications allow for the correction of errors in issued patents. Design applications protect ornamental designs, and plant applications are for new varieties of plants.

For more details on these special application types, refer to the following MPEP sections:
– MPEP 201.04 – Provisional Application
– MPEP 1400 – Reissue
– MPEP 1500 – Design Patents
– MPEP 1600 – Plant Patents