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

A provisional application is designed to provide a simplified filing option for inventors, allowing them to secure a filing date before a full utility application is submitted. The key elements of a provisional application include the specification, which describes the invention, and drawings if necessary to adequately disclose the invention.

Claims, while important for defining the scope of protection sought in a utility patent application, are not required in a provisional application. This aspect is crucial because the provisional application serves primarily as a placeholder and gives the inventor time to further develop their invention and prepare for a complete application without needing to provide the detailed claims that would be necessary in a non-provisional application.

The provisional application also allows for a cover letter, which helps to identify the application and its contents. Therefore, while elements such as the specification and necessary drawings are integral parts of a provisional application, claims are not mandated, which makes them the correct choice for what does not belong in a provisional application.