Freedom to Operate Opinion
Vandana Mamidanna
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Brisbane
Beijing
Chicago
Goteborg
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Overview
• Right to use
• Country-wise analysis
• Not a static single point activity
– Changes in IP Landscape
– Changes in Product
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Brisbane
Beijing
Chicago
Goteborg
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Pre- FTO
– Identify Current Product Characteristics
– Identify Any Proposed/Projected Changes To Be
Made To The Product
– Is The Product Only For The Local Market Or
International
– Determine Level Of Interest In Product And Next Key
Decision Points
– Before Further Significant Investment (Time/Cost),Brisbane
Beijing
Chicago
Initiate Patent FTO Search And Analysis
Goteborg
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Initial Search
–Develop expertise/ Use an Expert
–Extent of search
• Age of the product
• Target Market/Markets
• Consider Local searches
• Refine the search
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Brisbane
Beijing
Chicago
Goteborg
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Analysis of Search Results
– Identify Patent Series Of Possible Concern
– Review Status (Pending, Granted, Abandoned, Next
Action Due)
– Check Original And Latest Claims Where Identified
Patent Applications Are Pending For Relevance .
Check Claims Of Granted Patents For Relevance
– Discuss Patent Claims Of Concern With Scientists To
Determine If Concerns Are Resolvable By
Brisbane
Beijing
Workaround Activities
Chicago
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Goteborg
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Analysis of Search Results
– If Decision Is To Monitor Pending Claims Of Concern,
Introduce A Regular Review Process With
Appropriate Reminders
– Consider Possible Invalidity Grounds For Problem
Patents – Review Cited Art, Conduct Invalidity Search
And Analysis
– Retain Outside Counsel, If Appropriate, And Develop
Invalidity Attacks
Brisbane
Beijing
– Manage FTO issues
Chicago
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Goteborg
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Freedom to Operate – Process Flow
Search
# Records
Analysis 1
• Abstracts
• Countries
• Remove
duplicates
High Value
Database(s)
< Records
<< Records
• Abstracts
• Countries
of interest
• Claims
• Countries
of interest
• Issued?
Infringement
Assessment
Input
•
• Keywords
• Substructure
• Generic scope
Analysis 2
[Repeat
over time]
√ OK
Advice
TRACK
LITIGATE
STOP
LICENSE
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Assess:
• Claims
(esp issued)
• Countries
Invalidity/
Workaround
Assess:
Brisbane
Beijing
• Claims
Chicago
(esp
issued)
Goteborg
• Hyderabad
Countries
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Mitigate FTO Issues
•
•
•
•
Utilise in-house and partners’ knowledge of area
Conduct formal FTO reviews (stage-gate)
Update periodically – new published applications daily
Patent your inventions (and/or defensive publication)
– Don’t rely on prior user defence to infringement
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Brisbane
Beijing
Chicago
Goteborg
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Mitigate FTO Issues
• Track relevant pending applications
– Intervene as necessary (e.g. 3rd party observations)
– Publish to “throw off the scent”
• DON’T ignore relevant valid patents
– Injunctions, enhanced damages, “Bolar” limitations,
dealbreaker
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Brisbane
Beijing
Chicago
Goteborg
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Managing FTO Issues
• Consider workarounds
– Re-formulation
– Off-shoring
• Develop bargaining chips
– Patent in 3rd party space
– Solidify your own IP position
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Brisbane
Beijing
Chicago
Goteborg
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Managing FTO Issues
• License – earlier the better
• Look for a win-win
• Litigate – courts, patent offices (oppose/reexamine), ITC, standing issues
• Stop
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Brisbane
Beijing
Chicago
Goteborg
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.
Thank You
vandana@thinkipstrategy.com
Think IP Strategy
Trusted advisors to the world’s most innovative companies
Brisbane
Beijing
Chicago
Goteborg
Hyderabad
Johannesburg
Melbourne
Mumbai
Washington D.C.