Question
So we're working on a niche social network. A lot of the features are general features used in all social networks, but we have a few unique features.
We don't have the resources to file actual patents, so we're just going with a provisional. Should I file individual provisionals for each feature, or can I just file one overall provisional for the whole app and make sure to highlight the individual features I think are patentable in the future?
Answer
Yes. Put everything in one provisional, if you can. But the provisional is worthless unless you file a non-provisional within a year of filing the provisional. Make sure to put as much detail about 'structure' as you can (computers/servers, memory, hard drives, processors). Because you likely will be filing business method claims later on, the structure will be necessary to the claims.
