Freedom to Operate (FTO) Search Services | Product Clearance Analysis
By IIP Search
About IIP Search
At IIP Search, we specialize in comprehensive patent search and analysis solutions that empower innovators, corporations, and legal professionals to make informed decisions. Our Freedom to Operate (FTO) Search Services also known as Product Clearance Analysis help businesses ensure that their new products, technologies, or processes do not infringe on existing patents in their target markets.
What is a Freedom to Operate (FTO) Search?
A Freedom to Operate Search is a critical step before launching a new product or entering a new market. It involves analysing active patents and pending applications to determine whether your product or process may potentially infringe existing patent rights.
FTO analysis gives companies legal and strategic assurance helping avoid costly infringement lawsuits and ensuring smooth commercialization.
Why Conduct an FTO Search?
Launching a new product without verifying patent clearance can result in severe financial and legal consequences. Conducting an FTO Search provides:
• Risk Mitigation: Identifies potential patent barriers before launch.
• Strategic Planning: Guides product design changes or licensing negotiations.
• Investor Confidence: Demonstrates IP due diligence to investors or partners.
• Regulatory & Market Readiness: Ensures your technology is free for commercial use in your target jurisdictions.
Our FTO Search Process
At IIP Search, our approach is precise, structured, and globally compliant.
1. Understanding the Product or Process
We begin with an in-depth understanding of your product features, functionalities, and key technical elements to define the search scope.
2. Defining Jurisdictions
We identify the specific markets of interest (e.g., US, Europe, Japan, India) to locate active and enforceable patents relevant to those regions.
3. Comprehensive Search Execution
Using leading patent databases such as Orbit, PatBase, and Derwent, we perform detailed keyword, classification, assignee, and citation-based searches.
4. Legal Status Verification
We analyze the legal status of identified patents—whether active, expired, or lapsed—to ensure accurate risk evaluation.
5. Claim Charting and Analysis
Each potentially relevant patent is mapped to your product features, identifying exact points of overlap or potential infringement.
6. Detailed FTO Report Delivery
You receive a clear, actionable report summarizing the search strategy, identified patents, risk assessment, and recommendations.
Deliverables
Our FTO report includes:
• Executive Summary
• Search Strategy and Methodology
• List of Identified Patents with Status
• Claim Mapping and Analysis
• Legal Opinion Support (optional)
• Strategic Recommendations
Illustrative Example
Scenario: A medical device company plans to launch a new wearable diagnostic tool in the US and EU.
Our FTO Analysis:
• We identified 120 relevant patents.
• 75 patents were expired or abandoned.
• 20 active patents required further claim mapping.
• 2 patents posed potential risks client pursued design modification to avoid infringement.
Outcome: The product was successfully launched with zero infringement disputes.
Benefits of Partnering with IIP Search
• Expert IP Analysts: Our team includes patent engineers and attorneys with deep domain expertise.
• Global Coverage: We conduct searches across multiple jurisdictions worldwide.
• High Accuracy: We leverage AI tools and manual expertise for comprehensive results.
• Custom Reporting: Each report is tailored to your product’s technical and commercial context.
• Confidentiality Assured: We follow strict data security and NDA protocols.
Industries We Serve
Our FTO Search Services cater to a wide range of industries, including:
• Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology
• Electronics & Telecommunications
• Mechanical & Automotive
• Software & IT
• Consumer Goods
• Renewable Energy & Green Tech
Visual Overview
[Image 1: FTO Process Flowchart]
A simplified diagram showing the six-step process: Requirement Gathering → Jurisdiction Definition → Patent Search → Legal Status Check → Claim Mapping → FTO Report.
[Image 2: Risk Assessment Heatmap]
A sample visual showing low, medium, and high-risk patents identified during analysis.
[Image 3: Sample Claim Mapping Table]
A visual comparison of product features vs. patent claims.
FAQs
Q1. When should an FTO search be conducted?
Ideally, an FTO search should be conducted before finalizing product design or prior to commercialization.
Q2. Does an FTO search guarantee no infringement?
No, but it significantly reduces the risk by identifying known patents that may pose potential threats.
Q3. What is the difference between FTO and Patentability Search?
Patentability Search checks if your invention is new; FTO ensures your invention does not infringe others’ existing rights.
Q4. How long does an FTO Search take?
Typically, 2–3 weeks depending on technology complexity and jurisdictions involved.
Q5. Can IIP Search provide legal opinions?
While we provide detailed claim mapping and analysis, formal legal opinions can be coordinated through partnered patent attorneys.
Why Choose IIP Search for FTO Services?
• Proven experience with global patent databases and analytics tools.
• Trusted by law firms, R&D teams, and Fortune 500 companies
• Timely, reliable, and cost-effective IP solutions.
Contact Us
IIP Search
Website: https://iipsearch.com/all-services/20/freedom-to-operate-search
Email: info@iipsearch.com
Let IIP Search help you launch with confidence through professional Freedom to Operate (FTO) Search Services