Clearance Search (Freedom To Operate)
A Clearance Search or Freedom-To-Operate Search or Right-to-use Search establishes
whether - and where - you can legally bring your invention to market.
How Clearance Search differs from Infringement Search
Clearance Searches and Infringement Searches both seek to ensure that new or planned
products can be brought to market without fear of litigation from patent-holders.
However, an infringement search limits itself to enforceable patents (or pending
applications) solely in the country where you plan to market the product. A Clearance
Search goes further - it seeks to establish where in the world the product could
be marketed without infringing unexpired patents.
Using Clearance Search to exploit your invention
In an era of globalisation, a Clearance Search can be seen as an important method
for expanding the potential of your product. Each new territory where you have "freedom
to operate" represents a possible lucrative new market for your invention.
What to search in a Clearance Search
In scope, a Clearance Search can be seen as a combination of a Patentability Search
and an Infringement Search. Consequently, a Clearance Search includes:
- Granted patents (expired and unexpired)
- Published patent applications
- Non-patent literature.
Learn more about Searching
Learn more about our other Patent Search services or
contact Filament today to discuss your Clearance Search requirements.