Is a provisional examined by the USPTO?
No. A provisional is not examined and does not become a patent by itself. A non-provisional must be filed within 12 months to pursue patent rights.
Can it be too thin?
Yes. A provisional only supports later claims to the extent it adequately discloses the invention. Lean does not mean incomplete.
Can foreign companies use provisional filings?
Yes, but priority strategy should be coordinated carefully with foreign filing plans and disclosure timing.
Are drawings required?
They are not always required, but useful drawings often improve disclosure quality and later claim support.