What can and cannot be patented? Utility patents can be obtained for any new, useful, and non-obvious process.This page provides information on the types of patents and types of patent applications, and the examination process. Need to add new matter to your patent application? (73) Filing an application without an attorney is possible, but even with some guidance it is definitely not without its challenges. You can fill out the provisional patent application cover sheet yourself but it is often helpful to hire a patent attorney to do it for you. Patent prosecutioneverything that takes places after a patent application is filed until it issuescan be a complex and lengthy process. Most importantly, patent applications must be filed within one year of the date an invention is publicly disclosed. Patent application writing entails conducting research and drafting the necessary specifications, claims, and drawings (figures) to apply for a patent. If you do not know how your invention can be implemented (i.e.