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Freedom To Operate (FTO) Search Service

Make a trouble-free market debut with our extensive freedom to operate (FTO) search services. Our in-depth FTO search report highlights the existing patents obstacles in commercializing or using a new product, technology, or process.

FTO Search Strategy We Follow

We at Wissen Research follow a stepwise FTO search strategy to detect active/alive patents that may prohibit a company from manufacturing or selling a specific product or practicing a particular process in a certain area/jurisdiction. Our skilled FTO researchers employ cutting-edge tools and extensive domain knowledge to identify potential infringement risks and offer practical solutions to alleviate any such risks.

  • Keyword Extraction

We meticulously extract relevant keywords using tools like Power Thesaurus and Google Synonyms associated with the client’s product or technology.

  • Classes Extraction

To extract relevant patent classes related to the client’s product or technology, we use Espacenet or USPTO database.

  • Patent Extraction

We conduct detailed searches on popular databases like Google Patent, Orbit, and Patsnap to extract patents that may pose potential obstacles to the client’s product market entry, ensuring a thorough examination of existing intellectual property rights.

  • Design Patent Extraction

In addition to utility patents, we also scrutinize design patents on WIPOGlobal design database and Patsnap to identify any potential infringement risks or design-related constraints for the client’s product.

  • Analysis

Analyzing the patents and focus on individual claims. Investigate barriers to entry, or patents and technology that are consistent in obstructing the client’s quest to launch a new product. “Eradicate” results that aren’t pertinent and keep the subset of patents that present an issue.

  • Examine Solution

We examine various solutions and strategies to address any potential conflicts or infringement risks identified during the search process. For example, examine the patent status, potential expiration, and/or research and prepare an invalidity opinion.

  • FTO Search Summary

Finally, we compile all our findings into a comprehensive FTO search report, providing our client with a detailed analysis of potential risks and actionable insights to navigate the intellectual property landscape effectively. We specifically highlight the limitations (other features which are not included in client’s product) present in the mapped claim elements which eventually helps to make opinion.

Bespoke FTO Search Services for A Secure Product Launch

Freedom to Operate Analysis Report

Our FTO experts submit an easy to ready freedom to operate analysis report to the client in Excel format with clear feature mappings. Our typical FTO search report includes;

  • Project Overview
  • Key Features
  • Search Strategy
  • Relevant References
  • Related References
  • Summary
FTO Analysis report

Freedom to Operate Vs Infringement: Key Differences, Similarities, and Practical Implications

Benefits of Conducting Freedom to Operate Search

  • Risk Mitigation
  • Market Entry Confidence
  • Cost Savings
  • Innovation Opportunities
  • Competitive Advantage
  • Legal Compliance
  • Investment Protection

Our Expertise in FTO Search Extends Across Diverse Industry Verticals

For FTO Search Reports

Why Choose Wissen Research's FTO Search Services?

  • Wissen Research has a team of skilled professionals who have expertise in key areas.
  • A comprehensive search for prior art using 15+ databases.
  • Having multilingual capabilities covering almost 100+ countries.
  • Wissen Research has strong regional database coverage, with native language capabilities, including CN, JP, and KR, which enables us to deliver precise results.
  • Understanding the laws of different countries; evaluating the greatest claim scope; and assessing infringement possibility.
  • Wissen Research maintains transparency in the search direction by providing interim results and constant communication with clients.
  • We also perform structure and sequence-based searches, as well as Markush structure searches.
  • Customized pricing plans based on individual client requirements.
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does FTO Search mean in Intellectual Property?

As the name suggests, Freedom to Operate means that a company has the liberty to be involved in trade activities like developing, manufacturing, and selling a product without impacting the IP rights of an individual or a company. Freedom to Operate Search enables a company to determine whether its product or procedure infringes an active patent’s claims and prevent litigation risk beforehand. A Freedom to Operate search is also known as a Clearance Search, Right to Use Search and Non-Infringement Opinion.

Who should conduct an FTO search?

An FTO search, when conducted by inventors or companies, is a comprehensive process that determines whether a particular product or procedure can be executed in a specific jurisdiction. This thorough search helps to ensure that there is no risk of future litigation or patent infringement, providing a high level of confidence in your product’s marketability.

At what stage of the product cycle is Freedom to Operate (FTO) search usually performed?

While it’s ideal to conduct an FTO search before product launch, the best time is during the development stage. This is because your product could potentially infringe on an active patent, leading to costly legal issues. By conducting an FTO search early, you can make necessary modifications without the pressure of an impending launch.

How does Wissen Research process your Freedom to Operate Search?
  • Wissen Research develops various search strategies/techniques to identify relevant patents that your invention may infringe on.
  • Our goal is to look for keywords that will assist in the discovery of an invention/product in the claims section of patents/patent applications.
  • Analyzing the patents and peer at individual claims. Investigate barriers to entry, or patents and technology that are consistent in obstructing the client’s quest for an intellectual property patent. “Eradicate” results that aren’t pertinent and keep the subset of patents that present an issue.
  • Examine solutions to potential problems. For example, look at the patent status, potential expiration, and/or research, and prepare an invalidity opinion.
  • Present the outcomes to the client and show the potential intellectual property (IP) issues and solutions, and make suggestions towards a plan for moving forward.
 
How much does a freedom to operate (FTO) search cost? 

The pricing for an FTO search is determined by factors such as the search request definition and industry. Contact us for a complimentary cost estimate tailored to your needs.

How long does it typically take to finish an FTO search?

The duration for completing a FTO search varies based on the scope of the request. Generally, it takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks on average.