Which of the following is NOT an element of a Provisional Application?

A provisional application for patent is a unique type of application that allows inventors to secure a filing date for their invention without allying all the formal requirements of a full non-provisional application. The elements that are typically present in a provisional application include a specification, which describes the invention and how to make and use it, as well as drawings if necessary to understand the invention more clearly. A cover letter may also be included to provide context or instructions related to the submission.

However, one of the distinct features of a provisional application is that it does not require formal claims. While claims define the scope of the invention in a non-provisional application, in a provisional application, it is acceptable to file without them. This makes provisional applications more flexible and less burdensome for inventors who may still be refining their ideas. Thus, the absence of claims is a defining characteristic of provisional applications, solidifying why they do not constitute an element of such applications.