Whenever a company plans to develop or launch a new product or service, a major risk, mainly in technology sectors where there is extensive patenting, is that commercialization may be obstructed by a competitor who holds a patent for a technology integrated within that product. This is why many companies, at an early stage, first ensure “freedom to operate” (FTO) against others valid IP rights in operating territories.
Mr. Mayank Joshi discusses about the importance of freedom to operate (FTO) searches in his article published on Coventus law. The same can be viewed at http://www.conventuslaw.com/