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Patent Services

Patent Search Services

Informed patent decisions begin with comprehensive search and analysis. Whether you are assessing patentability, evaluating a competitor's landscape, or determining freedom-to-operate, the quality of the underlying search determines the quality of every decision that follows.

▌ A. PATENTABILITY SEARCHES

A patentability search (novelty search) systematically examines existing patents, scientific literature, and public disclosures to assess whether an invention meets the core criteria for patent protection. It is conducted before filing to evaluate the likelihood of grant and to inform the drafting strategy.

Databases Searched:
  • • Global: WIPO PATENTSCOPE, EPO Espacenet, USPTO, CNIPA, J-PlatPat
  • • Non-patent literature: Journals, proceedings, product specifications
  • • Local: Ministry of Economy and GCC Patent Office records
  • • Commercial: Derwent Innovation, Orbit Intelligence
Report Deliverables
  • Prior art relevance ranking
  • Feature-by-feature mapping
  • Grant likelihood assessment
  • Strategic drafting recommendations

▌ B. PRIOR ART SEARCHES

A prior art search is a broader examination of existing knowledge in a technology field, used for validity challenges, technology landscaping, M&A due diligence, and litigation support.

Search TypePurposeTypical Use Case
State-of-the-artMap technology landscapeR&D investment; strategic planning
Validity/InvalidityChallenge a patentLitigation; licensing negotiations
Patent familyIdentify related applicationsCompetitor portfolio analysis
Landscape/MappingVisualise patent activityCompetitive intelligence

▌ C. FREEDOM-TO-OPERATE (FTO) ANALYSIS

FTO analysis determines whether a product, process, or activity can be commercialised without infringing third-party patents. It is about whether others' patents could stop you from operating.

FTO Risk Assessment Framework
RiskAssessmentAction
LowNo risk identifiedProceed
MediumScope uncertainMonitor; design-around
HighLikely infringementRedesign, licence, or avoid
When FTO is Required:
  • • Before new market launch
  • • Before capital investment
  • • M&A due diligence
  • • Responding to C&D letters

Frequently Asked Questions

Not legally required, but strongly recommended. It informs claim drafting, avoids futile applications, and improves grant quality.

A prior art search assesses what exists in a technology field. An FTO analysis is a targeted legal assessment of whether a specific product infringes specific in-force patent claims in a specific jurisdiction.

A focused single-product FTO typically takes 2–4 weeks. Multi-jurisdiction FTOs for complex products take 4–8 weeks.

Yes. A well-documented FTO opinion can be relevant to establishing good-faith reliance and may affect damages calculations.

Commission a patentability search, prior art analysis, or FTO assessment with Legacy Partners. We deliver actionable, clearly written reports — not just lists of results.

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