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Pro se When an applicant files and prosecutes their own application, they are a pro se applicant.

Prosecution This is basically a negotiation process with the USPTO to obtain allowance of a patent application. After review by a patent examiner, the claims of the application are often rejected and arguments must be made as to why the examiner is incorrectly interpreting the prior-art references. Also, amendments may be made to distinguish the application over the references cited by the examiner.

Protest The public can protest the issuance of a patent if a written request is made. However, there must be reasons why the patent should not issue, such as fraud.

Provisional application A provisional application never becomes a patent in its own right. It must have a non-provisional application filed taking priority to the provisional in order for the application to undergo the patent examination process and proceed to possibly become a patent. A provisional application must contain everything that is in a non-provisional, except for claims.

Public domain Once a patent expires, it enters the public domain and anyone may practice the invention. Also, any matter in a patent that is not claimed in a patent application that issues, enters the public domain. Copyrighted matter may be dedicated to the public or after the expiration of the copyright period, enters the public domain.

Public Use If an invention is published or sold more than a year prior to the filing of a patent application, such public use will bar the inventor from obtaining a patent. However, any later modifications may be patented.