Enhance your patent search with AI. Try the FREE AI-powered tool

Freedom to Operate Search

Determine freedom to operate and assess the risk of infringing on existing patents before launching a new product or entering a new market.

What is a freedom to operate search?

Before launching a new product or service or entering a new market, it is imperative to evaluate if one has “freedom to operate (FTO)”. A Freedom to Operate Search, also called a clearance search is conducted to ensure that a product or service doesn’t infringe upon any patented technologies within a given jurisdiction.

An FTO search is identifies features, subsystems, components of the product or service that may infringe on existing patents or “potential future rights” (pending patent applications).

A Freedom to Operate (FTO) Opinion, also known as a clearance opinion or non-infringement opinion, is a legal assessment provided by intellectual property (IP) attorneys or experts.

What is a freedom to operate (FTO) opinion?

A Freedom to Operate (FTO) Opinion, also known as a clearance opinion or non-infringement opinion, is a legal assessment provided by intellectual property (IP) attorneys or experts.

FTO Search and Analysis

We collaborate with clients to develop FTO search and analysis solutions geared at various stages of the innovation process.

  • Pre-Product Launch

    Evaluate patent infringement risks before bringing a product to market. Gain insights and make informed decisions before considering licensing protected technologies.

  • New Market Entry

    Assess the competitive landscape by evaluating existing patents in a given jurisdiction and determine potential infringement risks. Explore new markets where you have clearance or freedom to operate.

  • Product Development

    Identify blocking patents and gain insights on the best course of action: license, design around or initiate patent invalidation efforts by finding prior art

  • Technology Acquisition

    Assess freedom to operate before acquiring patents to maximize the value of your IP investments.

End-to end solutions: FTO search and FTO Opinion

Get preferential rates for bundled FTO services

What our clients are saying

Get started.

Get your own dedicated research team now. Book a free consultation or send us a message.

  • Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • For more information please visit our Privacy Policy.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    • Questions? Check our privacy policy.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Patent and IP updates straight to your inbox

    Sign up now to receive monthly patent news, analysis and free insight reports.

    We don’t spam, we promise.