NON-PROVISIONAL UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TEMPLATE
(United States Patent and Trademark Office – 35 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq.; 37 C.F.R. §§ 1.1 et seq.)
[// GUIDANCE: This template reflects the standard arrangement set forth in 37 C.F.R. § 1.77 and satisfies the written-description, enablement, best-mode, and definiteness requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112. Bracketed text indicates user-supplied information. Delete guidance comments prior to filing.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Application Data Sheet (ADS)
- Specification
2.1 Title of the Invention
2.2 Cross-Reference to Related Applications
2.3 Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development
2.4 Field of the Invention
2.5 Background of the Invention
2.6 Summary of the Invention
2.7 Brief Description of the Drawings
2.8 Detailed Description of Embodiments
2.9 Claims
2.10 Abstract - Drawings
- Sequence Listing (if applicable)
- Power of Attorney & Declaration (37 C.F.R. § 1.63)
- Information Disclosure Statement (37 C.F.R. § 1.97)
- Micro-Entity or Small-Entity Certification (if applicable)
1. APPLICATION DATA SHEET (ADS)
[// GUIDANCE: File the USPTO-generated PDF or prepare an ADS containing the following. Do not include the ADS text in your specification.]
• Applicant(s): [APPLICANT NAME(S)]
• Correspondence Address: [LAW FIRM/IN-HOUSE ADDRESS]
• Application Type: Non-Provisional Utility
• Suggested Class/Subclass: [OPTIONAL]
• Attorney Docket No.: [DOCKET NUMBER]
• Suggested Technology Center: [TC GROUP]
• Small/Micro Entity Status: [YES / NO]
• Domestic Benefit/Foreign Priority: [IDENTIFY CLAIMED PRIORITY, IF ANY]
• Assignee (if any): [ASSIGNEE NAME]
• U.S. Government Interest: [YES / NO]
2. SPECIFICATION
2.1 TITLE OF THE INVENTION
[BRIEF, PRECISE TITLE (≤ 500 characters). Avoid marketing jargon.]
2.2 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[If claiming priority: “This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. [###,###], filed [DATE], the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.” If none, state “None.”]
2.3 STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[If applicable: “This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. [CONTRACT] awarded by the [AGENCY]. The Government has certain rights in the invention.” If none, state “Not applicable.”]
2.4 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[One-sentence identification of the technical field.]
2.5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
2.5.1 Related Art
[Describe conventional technology and its shortcomings. Avoid admissions of prior art beyond what is necessary.]
2.5.2 Problems to be Solved
[Identify unmet needs and technical problems addressed by the invention.]
2.6 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[Provide a concise statement of the invention’s nature and substance, highlighting inventive concepts and advantages.]
2.7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is [DESCRIPTION].
Fig. 2 is [DESCRIPTION].
…
[// GUIDANCE: Number drawings sequentially (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc.) and use identical reference numerals throughout.]
2.8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
2.8.1 Definitions
[Optional but recommended for clarity. Example:
“‘Controller’ means any hardware, firmware, or software-implemented logic capable of executing instructions.”]
2.8.2 System Overview
[Describe overall architecture with reference numerals (e.g., “100”).]
2.8.3 Exemplary Hardware Configuration
[Technical detail sufficient to enable PHOSITA to make/use.]
2.8.4 Method Embodiments (if applicable)
[Step-by-step process description, each step tied to drawing references.]
2.8.5 Alternate Embodiments
[Discuss variations, materials, dimensions, and equivalents.]
[// GUIDANCE: Provide at least one embodiment that satisfies best-mode. Use consistent terminology and avoid inconsistent antecedent basis.]
2.9 CLAIMS
[Start on a new page; single sentence per claim; Arabic numbering.]
- [A machine/system/composition/process claim—broadest reasonable scope.]
- [Dependent claim—referencing claim 1.]
…
[n]. [Method claim or additional independent claim.]
[// GUIDANCE: • Support every claimed feature in the Detailed Description.
• Use multiple statutory classes where appropriate.
• Add dependent claims of narrowing scope to preserve fallback positions.]
2.10 ABSTRACT
(150 words max)
[Concise summary of technical disclosure and utility; omit legal conclusions or benefits.]
3. DRAWINGS
[Attach separate PDF/TIFF sheets. Use lead lines and reference numerals. Minimum text; label “FIG. 1,” etc.]
4. SEQUENCE LISTING (IF APPLICABLE)
[Provide XML-format listing compliant with 37 C.F.R. § 1.831.]
5. POWER OF ATTORNEY & DECLARATION
[Execute USPTO Form PTO/AIA/82B for PoA; Form PTO/AIA/01 or AIA/08 for inventor declaration.]
6. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT (IDS)
[List known prior art on USPTO Form SB/08 within 3 months of filing or before first Office Action, whichever is earlier.]
7. MICRO-ENTITY OR SMALL-ENTITY CERTIFICATION
[File Form SB/15A–D as appropriate; verify income and assignment criteria.]
OPTIONAL PROVISIONS & RISK MANAGEMENT NOTES
[// GUIDANCE: The following defensive drafting techniques are not submitted to the USPTO but may be maintained in prosecution files.]
• Non-Estoppel Statement: “Nothing in this specification should be construed as an admission that any cited reference constitutes prior art under applicable law.”
• Equivalent Language: Incorporate phrases such as “at least,” “substantially,” and “and/or” judiciously to preserve claim breadth while satisfying 35 U.S.C. § 112(b).
• Doctrine of Equivalents: Include catch-all claim language (e.g., “and equivalents thereof”) to capture insubstantial variations.
• Multiple Claim Sets: Insert apparatus, method, and computer-readable-medium claims to hedge against § 101 rejections.
• Continuation Strategy: Identify candidate subject matter for future continuation or divisional applications to maintain a staggered claim portfolio.
EXECUTION BLOCK
Executed on [DATE].
[INVENTOR NAME], Inventor
[AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY NAME]
[Title], for Assignee [ASSIGNEE]
(If rights are assigned or obligated to be assigned)
[Notary block, if required by foreign jurisdiction—U.S. notarization is not required for PTO filings.]
[// GUIDANCE: Prior to filing, perform the following checklist:
- Verify all inventors are listed exactly as on declaration.
- Confirm claim numbering continuity after edits.
- Run antecedent-basis check for each claim term.
- Confirm paragraph numbers match references in Office Action responses.
- Review figures for legibility (black ink, text ≥ 0.32 cm high).
- Convert final specification to PDF/A with embedded fonts.
- Submit via EFS-Web/Patent Center with correct fee codes.
]
END OF TEMPLATE