Patent Research
Types of Patent Research
Structured patent search services for patentability, freedom-to-operate, and competitive intelligence. Types of Patent Research include:
- Knock-out novelty searches
- Patentability analyses
- Freedom-to-operate analyses
- Patent invalidity searches
- Ongoing patent monitoring
Patentability and Novelty Searches
A thorough patent search is the foundation of a successful patent strategy. We provide specialized research services tailored to different business needs, including:
- Novelty searches
- Patentability analyses
- Freedom-to-operate analyses
- Patent invalidity searches
- Ongoing patent monitoring
The search reviews published patents, patent applications, and non-patent literature (scientific publications, conference papers, technical standards) to identify the closest prior art. We use multiple search strategies in parallel: classification-based searching, keyword and concept searches, and citation network analysis to ensure comprehensive coverage.
The output is not a list of documents; it is a structured analysis identifying the most relevant prior art, assessing its impact on the patentability of the invention, and recommending how claims should be drafted to achieve the broadest defensible scope given the prior art landscape. This analysis saves significant cost during prosecution by identifying potential objections before they arise.
Freedom-to-Operate Analysis
A freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis determines whether commercialising a product or process would infringe third-party patents in the target markets. Unlike a patentability search, which looks at all prior art, an FTO analysis focuses specifically on in-force patents in the jurisdictions where the product will be made, used, or sold. FTO analysis is technically demanding: it requires identifying relevant patents, parsing their claims to determine scope, and assessing whether the intended product falls within those claims.
We use a structured knock-out approach, systematically eliminating patents that clearly do not apply before investing deeper analysis in the ones that warrant it. The result is a risk-ranked assessment with actionable recommendations: proceed, design around, licence, or challenge.
Competitive Intelligence and Landscape Analysis
Technology landscape analysis maps patent activity in a defined technical field, identifying which organizations are filing, in which sub-fields, at what rate, and with what geographic coverage. This intelligence informs R&D direction, competitor strategy, licensing opportunities, and M&A due diligence. Modern visualisation tools make this data accessible to management, not just IP specialists.
Benefits
- Novelty and patentability searches before filing
- Freedom-to-operate analysis for product and process launches
- Patent landscape and competitor activity mapping
- Invalidity searches for opposition and litigation support
Delivered by
Delivered by European Patent Attorneys with EPO expertise, providing fast turnaround with transparent flat-fee pricing.
Contact Us
To get in touch, please contact us.
FAQs
What is the typical timeframe for patent research?
- Knock-out novelty searches are typically ready within 3 to 5 business days.
- Comprehensive patentability analyses require 1 to 2 weeks.
- Freedom-to-operate analyses for complex technical fields may take 2 to 4 weeks depending on the scope of the claim landscape.
How does patent research feed into a patent strategy?
- Research results inform filing decisions, claim drafting scope, licensing negotiations, and litigation risk assessments.
- We provide research outputs with clear strategic recommendations, not just raw data, so your decisions are grounded in actionable intelligence rather than document lists.
What databases do you use?
- We access the major national and international patent databases together with commercial citation and landscape sources.
- For FTO analyses, we combine multiple databases to ensure comprehensive coverage across all relevant jurisdictions.
What is the difference between a patentability search and an FTO analysis?
- A patentability search reviews all prior art to assess whether an invention is novel and inventive (looking backward).
- An FTO analysis reviews in-force patents in commercial jurisdictions to assess whether a product can be commercialised without infringement (looking forward).
- They serve different purposes and use different methodologies.