Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search
Check whether your product could infringe someone else's patent before you launch.
- Registered patent agentsPatent work is handled only by agents registered with the Indian Patent Office
- NDA before you shareWe sign a non-disclosure agreement before you send any technical details
- Your idea stays yoursNothing is filed or published without your written approval
- Free first reviewA registered patent agent tells you if it is worth filing, before you pay
Quick answer
A freedom-to-operate (FTO) search checks whether making or selling your product in a country could infringe someone else's in-force patents. It is different from a patentability search, which asks whether your own idea is new. CorpBridge's FTO search starts at ₹24,999 per product and country, by registered patent agents.
| Professional fee | ₹24,999 + 18% GST |
|---|---|
| Government charges | No government fee |
| Time taken | 10–15 working days |
| Form / portal | FTO search and opinion |
| Documents | 3 items (listed below) |
| Done | 100% online |
What is Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search?
Owning a patent does not give you the right to sell your product: another company's patent may still cover part of it. An FTO search is the standard check before a launch, an import or a fundraise.
We map your product's features, search in-force patents and published applications in the target country, and report the risky patents with options to design around or license.
What's included in our Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search service?
- Feature breakdown of your product
- Search of in-force patents and pending applications in the target country
- Claim-by-claim review of the closest patents
- Risk rating and design-around options
- Written report
What documents are required for Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search?
- Product description, drawings or prototype details
- Target countries
- Known competitors
What is the process for Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search?
Scope
We agree the product features and countries.
Search
Patent databases are searched for in-force rights.
Analyse
Our registered patent agents compare claims with your product.
Report
You get the risks and practical options.
How much does Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search cost?
| Component | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| CorpBridge professional fee | ₹24,999 | CorpBridge |
| GST on professional fee | ₹4,500 | Government (via CorpBridge) |
| Government fee / stamp duty | No government fee | Government, at actuals |
Your expert confirms the exact government charges for your case before you pay. Build a full package estimate →
Free tools: patent fee calculator · patent deadline calculator
Applying from outside India?
Foreign companies, startups and law firms can use our Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search service too. Applicants without a place of business in India need an address for service in India, and we act as your agent: instructions by email, reporting in English and a fixed quote before we act. IP services in India for foreign companies →
Patents by technology
What can be patented in your field: Software and apps · AI and machine learning · Pharma and formulations · Medical devices and diagnostics · Mechanical and product inventions · EV, battery and clean-tech · Agritech and food processing
Frequently asked questions about Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search
What is the difference between FTO and patentability search?
A patentability search asks whether your invention is new enough to patent. An FTO search asks whether your product would infringe someone else's in-force patents. You can have one without the other.
Do I need an FTO search for India only?
Search every country where you will make, import or sell. Patents are territorial, so a patent in the USA does not stop sales in India.
What is the cost of Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search?
CorpBridge's professional fee is ₹24,999, exclusive of 18% GST, no government fee. The exact government charges are confirmed before you pay.
How long does Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search take?
10–15 working days, assuming documents are complete and the authority raises no queries.
What documents are required for Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Search?
Product description, drawings or prototype details; Target countries; Known competitors.
Often taken together
Patent Search
SearchA registered patent agent searches patents and literature to tell you whether your invention is new and inventive.
Provisional Patent Application
Form 1 / 2Secure your priority date early with a provisional specification while you keep developing the invention.
Patent Drafting
Form 2Drafting of the complete specification and claims by a registered patent agent, built to survive examination.
Not sure what to protect first?
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