PIUG Freedom to Operate Fundamentals: Comprehensive Techniques for Researching Freedom to Operate

A patent search to discover Freedom to Operate (FTO) or Freedom to Practice is one of the fundamental searches an Intellectual Property searcher must learn to master. FTO searches provide details on what is legally protected and can yield insight into making informed business decisions.

Freedom to Operate Fundamentals is taught by highly experienced PIUG members with many years of searching and training experience. Instructor bios are attached here. The course will build understanding of the fundamental concepts of FTO, and develop general techniques based on current patent law into focused strategies for performing FTO searches in the engineering, chemical, and biotech areas. It will demonstrate best practices for searching in each area and case studies of complete searches.

Discover targeted approaches that will help you be more effective by saving time and providing more accurate results. Learn how to utilize freely accessible resources for searching and how to determine what is legally in-force, including INPADOC, national patent office registers, and vendor offerings. This lecture-based course will include slide presentations, live examples of focused searches, and a printed handout.

Freedom to Operate Fundamentals is being offered on Wednesday, October 31st, 2018, at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia, PA.  Registration is scheduled to open June 25, 2018.  PIUG members are eligible for discounted rates as well as access to other Members Only information on the Wiki.  Find more information and register for the course here.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding what steps are needed for a FTO search and identifying differences versus a prior art and other types of patent searches
• Identifying resources for FTO searches and best practices for comprehensive search results
• Search tips for performing FTO searches more efficiently and cost effectively
• Working search examples and case studies in focused technology areas
• Determining what patents are still in-force including finding patent term adjustments and extensions
• Providing additional considerations for searching FTO outside the US
• Best methods for reporting search results

Whether you are new to performing FTO searches or more experienced, this course will provide techniques to take your FTO research skills to the next level, and help advance your career.

Agenda

If you perform Freedom to Operate (FTO) research, don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your conceptual understanding of FTO, and your skills, by attending this one-day course offered by the Patent Information Users Group (PIUG).  

Register Now.

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Hotel Arrangements:

Course Hotel: Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel
401 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA  19106

Room Rates: $239/night available from 10/30/18 - 11/1/18 and for 3 days prior or after the actual course date depending on space availability.

• Hotel Link for online reservation.  Reservations may also be phoned in to (215) 925-0000 or 1 (800) 468-3571. 
  Group Name: Patent Information Users Group, Inc.    Group Code: PIUG  Event: M-CHK45DU

• Each guest is responsible for all guest charges and must secure reservations by credit card. (Cash-paying guests may be required to deposit funds in advance to guarantee payment.)

• Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to the day of arrival in order to avoid penalty which also applies to early departures.

• Check in is 3:00 pm and check out is 12:00 pm.  All guests arriving before will be accommodated as rooms become available.  

• Secure reservations prior to Friday, September 28, 2018 (Cut-Off Date).  After this date, all remaining blocked (discounted) rooms will be released for general sale.