Freedom to Operate Search
Freedom to operate searches identify potential patent barriers to the commercialization of products or technologies.
A freedom to operate search examines the claims language of third-party in-force patents and is typically conducted as due diligence to assess the risk of potential infringement.
Uses
- Support the clearance of products, technologies, or processes
- Assess infringement risk
- Uncover licensing needs
- Provide direction to product development programs
Coverage and Outcomes
- The search scope includes enforced patents, published pending patent applications, and expired patents (as potential clearing documents). Broad full-text searches are performed on the patent databases in the countries of interest.
- The result of a freedom to operate search is to identify enforced patents or published patent applications with claims that cover the target technology, process, or product. Final results are arrived at based on a full review of the claims of the most relevant located patents.
- Typical delivery is within 5 to 7 business days.
Specifications Needed
- A technology or product description provided as a Word (or similar) document or a PowerPoint (or similar) presentation. The description should clearly delineates the features or subcomponents that require clearance. In the case of a pharmacutical or industrial chemical search, the novel structure(s) and/or compound(s) and/or composition(s) should be provided.
- The required scope of the clearance (that is, the countries to be targeted by the search).
- If available, a list of known competitors practicing in the technology area.