Freedom to Operate Searches.
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Freedom to Operate Search (FTO) / Clearance Search
Also known as clearance search or right-to-use search, it examines the claims ‘language of third-party in-force patents and is typically conducted as due diligence to assess the risk of potential infringement.
We at Dessign IP analyze and list down all the In-force patents, published applications and non-patent literature and, also the expired patents, patents expiring before the product launch and non-patent literatures (published before the priority date of patents of concern) are cited to support the “Freedom to Operate ” study for client reference. Synoptic IP conducts a comprehensive analysis of all relevant
patents, applications published and non-patent literature to defend the “Freedom-toOperate ” status of the technology in use with respect to all blocking patent claims.
Depending on your needs, the Freedom to Operate Search or Clearance Search scope may be limited to U.S. patents and published applications or expanded to include foreign patent references. Expired patents and public domain evidence can also be considered and the status of each U.S. Patent is provided
Clients' Requirement
Are you willing to purchase patents and/or obtain license, which are relevant to your product, so as to obtain freedom to operate rights in that jurisdiction?
Dessign IP’s Solution
dessign IP helps you uncover all the relevant patents (In-Force), with the degree of relevance to the future product, along with the synoptic study explaining how the future product would map on the existing claim(s). A list of relevant patents as well as a synoptic study of the results also helps in designing around your product in such way that it does not infringe on others patent as well as saves you from paying a huge licensing fees or the huge cost of purchasing a patent. You can also go for invalidating a patent in question so that you gain freedom to operate in the specific jurisdiction.
Expert Research Teams
Our research teams are custom-assembled, based on the technology of the requested research. Each team in led by a project manager, who is a patent attorney with the requisite subject matter expertise. The project manager acts as a valuable liaison before, during, and after each search project allowing you to get the results you need. Our veteran search professionals include patent attorneys, patent agents, and former patent examiners, all with extensive technical knowledge.
They utilize sophisticated search strategies for each project, accounting for individual features and combinations using multiple classifications, subclasses, keywords, and synonyms. In addition, they are all well-versed in the concepts of anticipation and obviousness, which gives our researchers further insight when reviewing identified documents.
Search Strategy
- Identification of Best Fit Classes
- Keyword Searching
IP Dashboard Search Report System
Classification-limited keyword searching
References Cited
U.S. Patents
Published U.S. Patent Applications
Safe Harbor References
Expired U.S. Applications
Abandoned U.S. Applications
Reference Status
Status as reported on front page of Public PAIR (for all U.S. references in report)
Delivery Methods
PDF version of report (via e-mail)
IP Dashboard Search Report System (web-based report interface)
PDF copies of each reference
Zipped bulk download of all references
Turnaround Time
6 to 8 Business Days
FAQs
A Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) search also called clearance search or infringement analysis checks whether a product used, or a process performed by an entity is infringing on any claim of an active patent.
An FTO search should typically be conducted as early as possible in a product or process development cycle.
FTO searches are carried out on granted patents and sometimes also on pending patent applications. Further, these searches need to be as comprehensive as possible. As a result, these searches are time-consuming. Depending on the complexity of the product and the countries where the search is to be conducted, an FTO report can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars (starts at US $500) to a few thousand dollars.
Any company or individual inventor can conduct an FTO search to determine whether it has the freedom to operate/use an invention/product in a specific jurisdiction.