PRO-APP™ Workshop
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"Patent Pending" with Expert Guided
DIY Provisional Patent Applications
DIY Provisional Patent Applications
Get Ready for the Online Course Launch!
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You're an Innovator
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Five Common Traits of Innovators:
- You have high memory capacity. You can handle multiple tasks, and switching between tasks, in short periods of time. This leads to out-of-the-box thinking and cross-linked solutions.
- You have low cognitive inhibition. You don't let "normal" expectations prevent you from thinking or talking about unconventional or seemingly random things.
- You achieve immersive flow in activities that interest you. You can get lost in these activities without thinking about how much time has passed.
- You enjoy working off-hours. Early morning or lat nights are typical because you feel more creative during these periods.
- You actively test nonconformity with rules and expectations. You enjoy the experimenting just to "see what will happen" as a way to test new theories or maybe just disrupt expectations.
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You're wired a little different from normal people. And that's okay. It allows you to create something nobody has ever created before. It allows you to test your ideas, instead of just take things for granted. This innovative approach is precisely what allows society to advance faster toward better and more fulfilling lifestyles.
You're Driven to Action
As an innovator, you're engaged and positioned to take action. You're fortunate to have fewer inhibitions about "the unknown" so you can adapt and take advantage of new perspectives.
The truth is, you love to learn, and there's no better way to learn something than to do it yourself. Sure, you could hire someone to help you with a project or experiment. But you would rather try it out yourself because you know that's how you'll learn the most. That's also how you'll be able to improve each and every time you run a new test, build a new prototype, or repeat an old task in a new way.
We all have a little fear inside us. Nobody is 100% sure 100% of the time, especially innovators who fundamentally believe each experience illuminates new learning. Fortunately, fear doesn't stop true innovators. Innovators appreciate knowledge gaps as opportunities to learn, improve, and even create.
So how will you use your innovative character to advance to the next level? What innovations await the master touch of your eager mind?
Join our community of innovators who are driven to Innovate With Confidence and share with each other on our Facebook group.
The truth is, you love to learn, and there's no better way to learn something than to do it yourself. Sure, you could hire someone to help you with a project or experiment. But you would rather try it out yourself because you know that's how you'll learn the most. That's also how you'll be able to improve each and every time you run a new test, build a new prototype, or repeat an old task in a new way.
We all have a little fear inside us. Nobody is 100% sure 100% of the time, especially innovators who fundamentally believe each experience illuminates new learning. Fortunately, fear doesn't stop true innovators. Innovators appreciate knowledge gaps as opportunities to learn, improve, and even create.
So how will you use your innovative character to advance to the next level? What innovations await the master touch of your eager mind?
Join our community of innovators who are driven to Innovate With Confidence and share with each other on our Facebook group.
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What is a Provisional Patent Application?
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It is a patent application
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A provisional patent application (PPA) is a type of utility patent application (as opposed to design or plant patent applications). You can accurately refer to a PPA as a "provisional patent application," a "PPA," a "provisional application" or simply as a "provisional." It is not accurate to call a PPA a "patent" (because it isn't and never will be an issued patent) or a "provisional patent" (because this is only a mythological character in the lazy vocabulary of an overworked patent attorney).
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It is a temporary placeholder
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The patent office is like a busy store with extremely long lines. A PPA is like sending your best friend to wait in line while you shop. When you're ready to check out, you get to join your friend in the line, with the benefit that they got in line before everyone else that came into the store after you. The PPA is your place in line. The checkout is when you decide whether or not to file a non-provisional patent application based on your PPA. Just don't wait until the store closes, because your place in line will expire--if you don't use your PPA within 1 year, then it will expire and you can rely on it anymore.
In general, your PPA is not examined. Your PPA is not searched. The content of your PPA is not reviewed. Your PPA is not published. Your PPA cannot be extended or renewed beyond 1 year. But since your PPA is a legal document sitting with the federal government, there are a bunch of nuances and potential exceptions to these statements that we go over in the workshop.
In general, your PPA is not examined. Your PPA is not searched. The content of your PPA is not reviewed. Your PPA is not published. Your PPA cannot be extended or renewed beyond 1 year. But since your PPA is a legal document sitting with the federal government, there are a bunch of nuances and potential exceptions to these statements that we go over in the workshop.
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It is the technical description of your invention
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You get credit for all the technical details that are fully described (and shown, if necessary) in your PPA when it is filed. You cannot amend it to add more technical information. However, you can file more than one PPA on different aspects of the same invention, then "bundle" the PPAs together into a single non-provisional patent application later on before examination.
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It is the legal boundary of your invention
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You can seek exclusive legal rights in a non-provisional patent application based on the technical details, combinations, and permutations you describe in your PPA. Your PPA only protects you for what you include. Nothing else. Even if you thought it was logical to assume all the permutations would be covered because you mentioned one or two of them. They will not receive legal protection, unless you describe them in sufficient detail in your PPA.
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It is your "onramp" to exploring business viability
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Filing a PPA is usually the very first step an inventor takes to explore whether or not the invention is "a good idea." A PPA by itself cannot be used to stop infringers or copycats, but opens the door so inventors can more confidently proceed with typical business model and market validation processes, including talking to potential customers, manufacturers, distributors, and even investors.
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It is not a "pitfall" if you understand what it protects
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Sometimes you hear people warn about the "pitfalls" of PPAs. Let's be clear, filing a PPA will not hurt you, as long as you include specific descriptions for the inventions (and details) you want to protect. Rather, the "pitfall" is being misinformed and thinking that you can get protection for your invention without describing it fully in your PPA.
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Workshop Overview
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1
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Define Your Invention
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The first step to drafting your provisional patent application is to properly identify your invention. Get access to a comprehensive "Innovation Disclosure Form" used with sophisticated global innovative companies. Describing your invention is much more than simply providing a couple of drawings and a descriptive paragraph, but that's a great start.
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2
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Illustrate Your Invention with Patent Drawings
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Starting with your own invention drawings, learn to create patent drawings that will expand the scope of your provisional patent application and help you think about your invention from new perspectives, without getting caught up in unnecessary formalities.
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3
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Describe Your Invention
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The specification for your provisional patent application is centered around your invention. But it doesn't have to be limited to a single "embodiment" or version of your invention. Learn how to expand on your original concepts to capture greater scope, value, and advantage during future examination with the patent office.
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4
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Claim Your Invention
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Although patent claims are not required for a provisional patent application, learn the basics of independent and dependent claims. Also learn why it might be beneficial to include some claims in your application.
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5
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Beyond the Basics
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Inventorship, foreign filing, patent pitfalls, typical costs, and so much more. There is more to understanding patents than simply filling out a basic application template. Get introduced to topics that go beyond the basics and give you a head start on your patent experience.
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6
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File Your Provisional Patent Application
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Throughout the workshop, we maintain focus on the true objective--to get your invention "patent pending"--so you can pursue your innovation dreams. We set milestones within the workshop that allow you to stop and file your provisional patent application when it makes sense for you. At each milestone your application is complete and ready to file, even though each additional milestone will result in a better application.
PRO-APP™ Workshop participants agree...
"I need to say a few words about Jeff Holman and his workshop. First, his workshop is an excellent resource for those who want to DIY provisional patent applications. I high recommend it! Jeff is genuinely interested in helping inventors! Second, his methodology is second to none! Jeff has so much experience as both a patent attorney and an inventor that he has thought of the best way to help others with DIY provisional patent applications. Finally, with Jeff’s help I was able to file several provisional patent applications. His help was invaluable, and I can honestly say that I could not have done it without him!"
Trevor B.
Trevor B.
"Jeff Holman’s Pro-App provisional patent writing workshop is a must-have learning experience, especially if you want to invent and bring multiple ideas to the market.
In his course, you learn what is important to include and what does not need to be added in your provisional patent. Jeff is patient and has a well laid-out course, with a step-by-step approach to make it easy for you to learn and apply."
Bryce H.
In his course, you learn what is important to include and what does not need to be added in your provisional patent. Jeff is patient and has a well laid-out course, with a step-by-step approach to make it easy for you to learn and apply."
Bryce H.
"I attended Jeff Holman's patent class and then successfully filed a provisional patent application. In the course I learned what plans and descriptions were needed for my invention.
This saved me lots of work on the drawings and description. More importantly had I filed before the course I would have made my application unable to defend and probably rejected by an examiner. For me Jeff's course was invaluable."
Joe H.
Who should attend this workshop?
- Inventors pursuing a lifelong dream
- Startup Innovators creating pioneering technology
- Technology Enthusiasts who want to efficiently reserve their IP rights
- Established Inventors ready to dominate the patent process
- Entrepreneurs and "Mompreneurs" seeking social impact
- Corporate Legal Departments looking to streamline invention disclosures and minimize outside counsel costs
- Professors and Academics working on cutting-edge technology
- Researchers establishing groundwork for future industries
- Founders ready to take the big leap into technology commercialization
- Investors who need to protect their investments
- You!
