Our Freedom to Operate (FTO) patent search service helps identify potential patent barriers to commercializing your products or technologies. This due diligence process examines the claims language of third-party, in-force patents to assess your risk of possible infringement. An FTO search aims to identify in-force patents or published patent applications with claims that cover the technology, process, or product you are targeting.
THE PROCESS
The Freedom to Operate service process gives you transparency and insights into any limitations your intellectual property may face. It concludes if a proposed commercial product or process may be made, used, sold, or offered for sale without infringing another party’s intellectual property rights.
Obtaining an FTO report can be very beneficial as a preemptive measure to defend a company in patent litigation against assertions of willful infringement and exposure to potential damages. By minimizing litigation risks, an FTO opinion can also minimize potential investors’ concerns about the marketability of the company’s product, process, or service.
The goals of conducting an FTO search include:
- Support the clearance of your products, technologies, or processes
- Conduct patent infringement risk assessments
- Uncover licensing needs
- Provide direction for your product development program
Our FTO search Service includes:
- In-force patents
- Published pending patent applications
- Expired patents (as potential clearing documents)
- Performance of broad, full-text searches on patent databases in your particular countries of interest
Ready to get started?
Download a Sample Freedom to Operate Report
Freedom to Operate News & Resources
Breaking Barriers: How Antitrust Shapes the Future of Innovation
From tech giants to pharmaceutical empires, the role of competition in driving innovation has never been more critical. But what happens when a few powerful players dominate an industry? Does regulation spark creativity, or does it hold businesses back? The debate over antitrust enforcement is intensifying. While some argue that breaking up monopolies unlocks new opportunities, others warn that overregulation creates uncertainty that stifles investment. So, where’s the balance? And how can companies navigate these shifting landscapes to stay ahead?
IP.com is Proud to Sponsor the Fifth Annual IPWatchdog LIVE Conference
IP.com is thrilled to be attending this premier gathering of 300+ top-tier intellectual property professionals, including esteemed judges, USPTO leaders, corporate counsel, and key decision-makers from law firms and industry at this year’s IP Watchdog Live.
The Impact of a Monopolized Economy on Innovation—And Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
From the ongoing antitrust battle between the U.S. government and Google to the European Union’s crackdown on Big Tech, the conversation around monopolies is heating up. In today’s fast-paced global economy, where artificial intelligence, biotech, and green energy are at the forefront of technological advancement, the role of competition has never been more critical. Innovation drives progress, but when a handful of companies dominate entire industries, it doesn’t just slow things down—it can fundamentally reshape the future of technology, business, and consumer choice.