FTO search is a “clearance search” or a “Risk assessment search” conducted before the launch of a product in a particular jurisdiction. FTO search helps our clients in accessing the risk of a potential infringement on their product/service by identifying third party enforceable patents and patent publications in a jurisdiction of interest.
Freedom to Operate Search is conducted for following reasons:
- To reduce litigation costs.
- To strategize licensing options.
- Tracking patent expiry for product launch.
- Accessing potential assignees or clients for purchase/ investment in a given product.
- Orient R&D to work in a specific technology area.
- Finding expired patents to provide “Safe Harbour”.
Experts at Intellect Bastion perform FTO search through following procedure:
- Identifying the country/ countries where the intended product/invention is intended to be launched or used.
- Identifying the essential components/ systems/ processes used to generate a product.
- Identifying the patent search sources.
- Collating relevant patents.
- Preparing Freedom to operate opinion.