The life of the provisional application is one year from the date of filing and is non-extendible. During this time period, the application is not examined.Resources are available for Minnesota residents to help inventors and entrepreneurs learn more about protecting their intellectual property. The Pro Se Assistance Program is dedicated to help independent inventors and small businesses meet their goal of protecting valuable intellectual property. Our experienced Minnesota patent attorneys will guide you through the entire process. Give us a call today. This Guide is intended to serve as a primer for the inventor and entrepreneur on the protection of new ideas and the products which result from them. MN Lawyer Referral shares everything you need to know if you are looking to submit for a patent. For more info regarding laws on patents, call today! University patent filing process and responsibilities: Learn what to expect after we file a provisional patent application.