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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001256969-05-000002.txt : 20051019
<SEC-HEADER>0001256969-05-000002.hdr.sgml : 20051019
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051019171624
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001256969-05-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051017
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051019
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051019

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000102198
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PATENT OWNERS & LESSORS [6794]
		IRS NUMBER:				362664428
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0731

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1960 BRONSON ROAD
		STREET 2:		BUILDING 1
		CITY:			FAIRFIELD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06824
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2032556044

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1960 BRONSON ROAD
		STREET 2:		BUILDING 1
		CITY:			FAIRFIELD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06824

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	UNIVERSITY PATENTS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DAVIDSON MICHAEL D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001256969

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08696
		FILM NUMBER:		051145713

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O API 3778 DISTRIPLEX DRIVE NORTH
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38118
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2032556044

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
		STREET 2:		1960 BRONSON ROAD
		CITY:			FAIRFIELD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06824
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-10-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000102198</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CTT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001256969</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DAVIDSON MICHAEL D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1960 BRONSON ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FAIRFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06824</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP and Chief Financial Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-09-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1352</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2352</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option - Right to buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.34</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-10-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-10-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares contributed by issuer to Mr. Davidson's account in the Company's 401(k) plan, 338 shares which are vested and 1,014 non vested shares.  Reporting Person claims no beneficial ownership in non-vested shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Vests as follows: 25% per year starting August 1, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Granted pursuant to the issuer's 1997 Employees' Stock Option Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael D. Davidson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-10-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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