Legal Definitions - FTO search

An FTO search, also known as an infringement search, is a type of patent search that aims to determine whether a product or method infringes any existing patents. This search is usually limited to the geographic area where the patent is in force.

For example, if a company wants to introduce a new product in the United States, they would conduct an FTO search to ensure that their product does not infringe on any existing patents in the US. This search would not cover patents in other countries.

Another example would be a pharmaceutical company conducting an FTO search before launching a new drug. They would want to ensure that their drug does not infringe on any existing patents held by other companies.

Overall, an FTO search is an important step in the patent process to avoid potential legal issues and ensure that a product or method can be used without infringing on any existing patents.