Parts of a complete specification: what are they and why do we use them

Every patent application is accompanied by a provisional or a complete specification. A complete specification can be filed within 12 months of a provisional specification or as the only specification in the first instance. The complete specification describes an invention and the best way of working that invention. This document is examined by the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) to determine if the patent application complies with the requirements of the Patents Act once examination has been requested.