Application parts, provisional, and priority
**Parts of a non-provisional utility application (37 CFR 1.77):** • Application data sheet (ADS, 37 CFR 1.76). • Specification: Title, Cross-Reference, Statement of Federally Sponsored Research, Background, Summary, Brief Description of Drawings, Detailed Description, Claims, Abstract. • Drawings (37 CFR 1.81 — required where necessary to understand). • Oath or declaration (37 CFR 1.63). • Fees (basic filing + search + examination). • Sequence listing (if applicable, 37 CFR 1.821 + ST.26).
**Provisional application (35 USC §111(b) / 37 CFR 1.53(c)):** • No claims required. • Pendency 12 months — NOT extendable. • Provides earliest effective filing date for subsequently filed non-provisional claiming benefit under 35 USC §119(e). • Must satisfy §112(a) written description + enablement for the subject matter claimed in the non-provisional. • Not published, not examined.
**Priority claims:** • **§119(a) foreign priority** — 12 months for utility/plant; 6 months for design. • **§119(e) provisional priority** — 12 months. • **§120 domestic benefit** — co-pending continuing application. • **§365(c) PCT national stage** — 30 months (US) from earliest priority date.
**Duty of disclosure (37 CFR 1.56):** each individual associated with the filing and prosecution has a duty to disclose to the USPTO all information **material to patentability**. Violation = inequitable conduct (Therasense v. Becton, 2011: but-for materiality + specific intent to deceive).
**Information Disclosure Statement (IDS, 37 CFR 1.97/.98):** timing tiers determine whether fees/certifications are required.