If you haven't received a filing receipt, you should receive one shortly. The filing receipt is proof that you filed the provisional application...

Does a provisional patent protect my product from being stolen?

By filing a provisional patent application, you have the right to mark your product with "Patent Pending". Other than that, you have no other...

Does a patented limited invention prevent a broader invention from being patented?

If your invention is novel and non-obvious over the prior art and is directed to patentable subject matter, then you should be able to obtain a...

Before disclosing your idea to your friend, you could have your friend sign a non-disclosure agreement. You should have an attorney draft the...

The expired patent would be considered prior art, which the Patent Office could use to reject the new application. However, if you are claiming...

What good is a patent, when apple has several patents on a phone, yet there are several phone's just like theirs?

You need to focus on the claims. Multiple patents may claim inventions that generally do the same thing, but the claims must recite at least one...