What is a Freedom to Operate (FTO) Search?

A Freedom to Operate (FTO) search, which is also frequently referred to as a Clearance Search, involves conducting deep research to identify patents in force that could pose hindrances to the manufacture, sales, or marketing of a product or technology in any given area.

If you are wondering what is an FTO search in patent law, it is essentially a proactive risk-management tool. The ultimate goal of a product clearance patent search is to evaluate potential legal roadblocks before launching a new offering to the market.

A comprehensive patent clearance search process analyzes:

• Active patents
• Patent applications in force
• Statute & expiry information
• Territorial scope
• Claims interpretation
• Risk of patent infringement

Because navigating patent clearance and IP clearance can be highly complex, many organizations rely on professional search services to ensure no stone is left unturned. Utilizing an expert FTO search is therefore an important activity for organizations involved in developing products and technologies, protecting them from costly litigation down the road.

Why Conduct an FTO Search?

1. Protection Against Patents Infringement (Patent Infringement)

• Save money, avoid litigation risk, and product recalls through the identification of patent-related risks (Patent risk). It provides a clear roadmap on how to avoid patent infringement.

2. Safe Product Launch (Patent liability clearance)

• Guarantee safe entry into the market for your product in target locations (India, USA, Europe, etc.).

3. Time and Money Saving

• Investments made in R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and other areas will not go to waste through an early patent infringement risk assessment.

4. Patent Filing Strategy Improvement

• Your product could be changed in accordance with the findings of the FTO analysis.

5. Investors' Requests (IP due diligence)

• Investment and corporate due diligence usually include obtaining FTO reports. This makes an FTO search for venture capital due diligence essential.

6. Strategic Business Planning

• Make sure that your product is legal in terms of manufacturing, licensing, and expansion. In case of patent lawyers, attorneys, agents, and patent consultants in India, FTO search is a crucial part of their job.

How We Conduct an FTO Search

• Step 1: Learn About Technology & Product Details — This is where we learn all the technical aspects of the product.
• Step 2: Select the Target Jurisdictions — Based on markets of manufacture, sale, or development for the patent landscape and FTO analysis.
• Step 3: Formulate the Search Strategy — Using keywords, CPC codes, competitors & domains as part of the FTO search methodology.
• Step 4: Search Active Patents & Pending Applications — Studying all the patents which can overlap your product utilizing a precise FTO methodology and Patent tracking.
• Step 5: Claim Analysis & Scope Study — Analyzing the claims to understand their scope through professional patent claims mapping services and Claims mapping.
• Step 6: Check the Status and Expiry Date of Patents — Checking on the validity and expiry of patents via Patent mapping.
• Step 7: Identifying the Risks & Safe Zones — Highlighting the risks and patent safe zones.
• Step 8: Preparing an FTO Report — Including claim analysis, patent status and risk mitigation to compile a comprehensive freedom to operate analysis report and final FTO report.
• Step 9: Giving FTO Strategy Suggestions — Helping you with design-around, licensing & marketing suggestions.

Why Choose Intellect Bastion for FTO Searches?

• Experience with Multiple Technologies & Sectors – Skilled experts and patent lawyers with legal expertise at our professional FTO search company, serving as your trusted IP experts.
• Global Patent Research – Patents searched at the major patent offices around the world by a premier patent search firm in India.
• Insightful & Practical Legal Reports – Prepared for use by lawyers, patent firm teams, and corporate clients.
• Chosen by Government Bodies, Start-ups, & Corporate Innovators – Popular among innovators and research & development teams looking for an affordable freedom to operate search agency or IP agency.
• Confidential & Timely Service – Highest confidentiality standards with competitive industry turnaround times from an established FTO company.
• Proactive IP Risk Mitigation – Offers patent licensing and design-arounds provided by intellectual property clearance specialists and patent specialists.