Other Patent Services
In addition to drafting and filing patents, designs and models, Studio Ing. Flavia Benetazzo offers a range of specialist patent analysis and consulting services, essential for making strategic decisions on the protection and exploitation of intellectual property.
Prior Art Search for Patents and Designs
Before investing in a patent or a design, it is useful to know whether similar rights already exist. A prior art search is a systematic analysis of patent databases and national and international design registers, aimed at identifying already published documents that could anticipate, wholly or in part, your invention or design.
What it is used for
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- Verifying the novelty of an invention or design before filing, avoiding unnecessary costs
- Identifying existing competitor patents in your technology sector
- Precisely defining the scope of protection achievable with the patent application
- Supporting R&D investment decisions by knowing what has already been done and what remains to be explored
How it works
The search is conducted in the main Italian and international patent databases using predefined names or a combination of international patent classifications (IPC/CPC) and keywords. At the end of the search, Studio Benetazzo provides a written report with the relevant documents found and an assessment of their impact on the patentability of your invention.
Patentability Opinion
A patentability study — also known as a “patentability opinion” — is a technical and legal analysis that assesses whether an invention meets the requirements necessary for patenting: novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability.
What it is used for
- Obtaining a professional opinion before proceeding with filing
- Understanding whether your idea is sufficiently innovative compared to what already exists
- Estimating the likelihood of success of the patent application
- Identifying the strongest aspects of the invention on which to build the application
How it works
The study concludes with a written assessment that analyses the individual patentability requirements in light of the documents found. The opinion allows you to make an informed decision on whether to proceed with filing and how to set the patent strategy.
Freedom to Operate (FTO) Analysis
Before launching a new product or process on the market, it is advisable to verify that you are not infringing third-party patents in force. A Freedom to Operate (FTO) study is an analysis that determines whether your production or commercial activity is free from the risk of patent infringement.
What it is used for
- Launching a product or process on the market without risking legal action for infringement
- Assessing risks related to third-party patents before investing in production
- Supporting business acquisition or licensing decisions by verifying the patent situation of technologies of interest
- Identifying patents that could block your business and evaluating design-around strategies
How it works
The FTO analysis carried out by Studio Benetazzo assesses whether the planned activity may fall within the scope of protection of a patent still in force in a country of interest, providing a written opinion with conclusions and any recommendations.
Patent and Design Copy Retrieval
Studio Benetazzo can procure official copies of Italian, European and international patents, patent applications and design registrations, useful for legal, technical or research purposes.
This service is particularly useful for:
- Lawyers and companies requiring certified copies for legal proceedings
- R&D departments wishing to analyse competitor patents in detail
- Anyone needing to retrieve official patent documentation quickly and reliably
Do you need a prior art search, a patentability opinion or an FTO analysis? Contact us for a quote.