In trying to reach a new destination, most people would consult a map. Today, many people rely on a GPS device to create a route for them, but they still need to prepare for unexpected changes along the way. The process of securing intellectual-property rights for an invention is a multi-stage endeavor. Navigating the various stages effectively relies largely on how much you have prepared for situations that can arise further down the road. A well-performed patent search serves as a map for circumventing the prior art which forms the maze that stands between you and your desired patent, “freedom to operate” an invention, or confirmation of the validity (or invalidity) of an issued patent.

Patentability, FTO, and validity searches form the core of searches that can serve as the basis for patent-filing decisions, legal opinions, and due diligence. The quality of the searches themselves depend on the search analyst’s search methodology and the input strategy for the search. The more informed one is about the process, the more manageable the maze becomes. Contact us to find out more about FPIP patent searches.