Ask Jason Boakes what has changed most during his career and his answer might surprise you. While technologies, industries and client expectations continue to evolve, he believes the qualities that define an excellent patent attorney have remained remarkably consistent. As a Partner and co-founder of Secerna LLP, he has built his career around technical excellence, trusted relationships and honest advice, principles he believes remain at the heart of effective patent practice.
Quick Profile
Name: Jason Boakes Role: Partner Firm: Secerna LLP Location: York, United Kingdom Areas of expertise: Patent drafting and prosecution, IP strategy, contentious patent matters, business leadership, mentoring and client relationship management.
Discovering a profession he never planned to join
Like many patent attorneys, Jason’s route into intellectual property began through curiosity rather than a carefully mapped career plan. Sponsored by Pilkington Glass during his science studies, he encountered an in-house patent team and discovered a profession that combined science, law and commercial problem-solving.
After training with Page White & Farrer in London, two decisions shaped his career. The first was returning to his native Yorkshire. The second, and perhaps the defining moment of his career, came years later when he left his role as an equity partner at HGF to establish Secerna alongside his business partner, Charlotte. Building a new firm brought into focus the challenges and responsibilities Equity partners in independent firms face, namely business leadership and management alongside technical client work.
More than a patent attorney
Jason is keen to distinguish between being a patent attorney and being an equity partner.
While the technical work remains central to his role, leading an independent practice requires balancing many different responsibilities. Alongside client work, he is responsible for helping shape the firm’s direction, supporting its people and ensuring the business continues to grow sustainably.
“We manage the functioning of the firm, what its priorities are and the tone that we want to set for the business,” he explains.
His role combines technical patent work with mentoring colleagues, developing international client relationships and helping shape the future direction of the business. That variety is one of the aspects he enjoys most.
Despite the variety, Jason remains closely connected to the technical work that first attracted him to the profession.
“If you found a firm, it is because you probably love what you do,” he says. “And I am no exception.”
Rather than viewing work as something to endure before life begins, he sees it as an opportunity for continual learning, challenge and personal growth.
That enthusiasm continues to shape the way he approaches both leadership and client service.
Why the fundamentals still matter
The original theme of our conversation centred on the evolving role of the patent attorney. Interestingly, Jason challenges the premise itself.
While acknowledging that technology, client expectations and the innovation landscape have changed significantly, he believes the core responsibilities of a good patent attorney have remained remarkably consistent.
“I don’t think their role has changed enormously,” he says.
Early-career attorneys still need to develop technical expertise, master the principles of patent law and produce work of the highest quality. Those foundations, he believes, are just as important today as they were when he entered the profession more than thirty years ago.
Innovation now spans an extraordinary range of technologies, while businesses of every size increasingly recognise the value of intellectual property. That growth has expanded both the number and diversity of clients seeking specialist advice. At the same time, technical disciplines have become increasingly specialised.
“When I started, I studied physics so I was the physics guy,” Jason explains. “Now you’re the AI person or the bioinformatics person. The technology areas within what were themselves dedicated subject areas, where significant activity occurs, have become much more specialised.”
He also recognises that younger attorneys are becoming involved in business development earlier in their careers.Rather than seeing this as a fundamental shift in the profession, however, he views it as a natural response to a more competitive marketplace and a broader client base. As firms grow and client expectations evolve, opportunities to build professional networks and contribute to business development arise earlier in many careers than they once did.
The essential qualities, however, remain unchanged: technical excellence, attention to detail, sound judgement, empathy and a genuine commitment to helping clients succeed.
Every client is different
Jason believes effective advice begins with understanding each client’s ambitions, resources and appetite for risk. Some organisations have sophisticated in-house IP teams who control the IP strategy of the organisation, while others require much more guidance. Rather than applying a standard formula, he tailors his advice to reflect each client’s commercial objectives and practical realities.
Building relationships that last
For Jason, technical expertise is only one part of being an effective patent attorney. Equally important is building relationships founded on trust, openness and honesty.
“One of the most valuable lessons,” he says, “is telling people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.”
Whether delivering good news or bad, he believes clients value straightforward advice delivered promptly. Delaying difficult conversations rarely improves the outcome, whereas honesty allows clients to make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
“People understand that things don’t always work out perfectly,” he explains. “As long as you’re straight with your client and you’ve done everything you can to help them, that usually goes okay.”
It is a pragmatic approach, reflecting his wider belief that long-term relationships are built on trust rather than simply technical capability.
The qualities that endure
Asked what qualities matter most for the next generation of patent attorneys, Jason points not to trending attributes but to enduring attributes: curiosity, professionalism, technical understanding, attention to detail and pride in producing excellent work. Clients recognise quality, and those standards remain as important today as ever.
A profession of many hats
Outside the profession, manypeople assume patent attorneys spend most of their time drafting patent applications.Jason smiles at the misconception.In reality, the work is far more varied.
Depending on the needs of clients, his work ranges from drafting and contentious matters to leading teams and advising on complex projects.
He describes the role as continually changing, with priorities shifting according to the challenges clients are facing.That variety is one of the aspects he enjoys most.
Rather than becoming repetitive, every new project brings different technologies, different commercial considerations and different opportunities to solve problems.
As an equity partner, he is often involved when clients face particularly complex issues or require strategic oversight across larger teams, adding another dimension to an already varied role.
Outside the office
Although Jason speaks enthusiastically about his work, he is equally happy to admit that switching off doesn’t necessarily involve one defining hobby. Instead, he enjoys a wide variety of interests that allow him to recharge in different ways.
Over recent years he has owned a racehorse, enjoys spending time with friends and has discovered an unexpected enthusiasm for gardening.
Among his proudest achievements is planting around 140 David Austin roses, which now occupy a prominent place in his garden.
“I spend a lot more time pruning roses than I ever thought I would,” he laughs.
His favourite is the elegant white Macmillan Nurse rose, chosen not only for its appearance but perhaps also, he jokes, because as a Yorkshireman he feels obliged to favour white roses.
Home life also includes a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, whose intelligence sometimes manifests itself as an unwavering belief that he is the one in charge. The dog has become a popular visitor at the Secerna office, where colleagues are encouraged to bring their own dogs into work from time to time.
Looking ahead
After more than three decades in the profession, Jason remains enthusiastic about patent law. Technology will continue to evolve, but he believes the foundations of excellent patent practice remain constant: technical excellence, trusted relationships and honest advice. Those principles continue to guide both his own career and the culture he is helping build at Secerna.
Meet the IP Professional is a PatWorld interview series exploring the people and perspectives shaping the intellectual property profession. Discover more interviews in the Meet the IP Professional hub, and find out more about PatWorld, a global IP search provider working with IP professionals worldwide to support informed patent, design and trade mark decisions, on our About Us page.
Phil Sanger is the founder of Grey Wolf IP, where he advises startups and SMEs on patents with the benefit of a technical background in mechanical engineering. He talks about building a flexible, client-focused practice, helping smaller businesses make commercially sensible IP decisions, and using plain language to demystify patents.
Name: Phil Sanger Role: Founder and patent attorney Firm / organisation: Grey Wolf IP Location: Royal Leamington Spa, England Areas of expertise: Patents, startups and SMEs, mechanical engineering, software, telecoms, commercial IP advice, client strategy, patent education
From engineering to IP
Phil did not start out with a plan to become a patent attorney. He worked as an engineer for nearly four years after university, spending a year in Detroit in the automotive industry before deciding to return to the UK.
When he began looking at other options, a friend who was training as a patent attorney suggested the career might suit him. Phil was intrigued by the exams, the technical challenge and the long-term opportunity. He left engineering and took a role as a trainee at Withers & Rogers.
Building his own practice
The move into private practice eventually led to something more independent. Phil says he had reached a point where he was thinking about whether he really wanted partnership at a large firm or a different way of working.
He was drawn to SMEs, where he felt he could do the best work. A client (also a founder) encouraged him to set up on his own, and the timing felt right. He describes the decision as a mix of professional confidence and the simple belief that you only get one chance at these things.
Why smaller clients matter
Phil’s work now focuses strongly on startups and SMEs. He says every patent matters more to these clients because budgets are tighter and the commercial stakes are higher.
That means the advice has to be closely tied to business strategy. He wants to understand what the business is trying to do and how a patent application fits into that plan. In larger companies, he says, patents can sometimes be treated more like a numbers game. For smaller businesses, they are often core to the value of the business itself.
Engineering as an advantage
His engineering background still shapes the way he speaks with clients. Phil believes people often become guarded when they think they are talking to a lawyer, but technical familiarity from his experience as an engineer helps them relax.
He can talk to inventors in their own language because he has worked as an engineer in both large and small businesses. That experience, he says, helps him get closer to the business and give better advice. He is comfortable stepping beyond his strict technical comfort zone, too, as long as he can understand what the inventor is telling him.
Clear advice, not legal noise
Phil is keen on making IP accessible. He says the key is to understand the law, apply it to the facts and then explain the outcome in simple language.
He does not think attorneys should hide behind options. His preference is to explain the choices and then give a view on what he would do in the client’s position. Clients, he says, value that steer. He also sees education as part of the job, especially for people new to IP who need help understanding what the process means in practice.
Long-term client relationships
A strong client relationship, for Phil, is one where people feel able to pick up the phone without hesitation. He likes it when clients come to him early with ideas, problems and questions, not just with narrow patent instructions.
He also values being the trusted first call, whether that happens by phone, WhatsApp or voice note. Word-of-mouth referrals matter to him as a sign that the relationship is working. In his view, that is one of the best measures of success.
Changing landscape
Phil sees AI as one of the biggest shifts affecting the patent landscape, especially for startups and scaleups. He says many clients are already using AI tools to help shape early patent drafts, which raises questions about confidentiality and quality.
What interests him most is not the final output, but the conversation the client had with the AI while refining the invention. That can reveal useful detail for a quality patent draft.
Business lessons
Running his own firm has taught Phil that professional success and personal fulfilment often come from unexpected places. He says he still loves the work, but owning and running a business is a discipline in itself.
He works with a business coach, and he is still learning about strategy, hiring, marketing and finance. That ongoing learning is part of what he enjoys. He sees business ownership as a long-term skill, not a fixed destination.
Life beyond patents
Outside work, Phil spends much of his time with his two sons. He also plays squash, watches films and goes to gigs. More recently, he has started a year-long fitness programme focused on strength training and staying healthy.
He mentioned music and film with obvious enthusiasm, especially Sinners, which he found memorable for the way it mixes music, history and genre. He is also a fan of films that play with time, which connects neatly to the way he thinks about complex legal ideas.
Explaining law through film
For his pop-culture comparison, Phil chose Tenet. He sees a parallel between the film’s simple core idea and the way priority works in patent law.
Priority, he says, sounds straightforward at first. But once you start working through the practical consequences, it becomes complicated and a little mind-bending, much like how time works in the film. It is a playful but fitting way of showing how he likes to make technical subjects more relatable.
Advice for newcomers
Phil’s advice to anyone considering a move from engineering or another technical background into IP is to get some work experience first. He says the profession is rewarding, interesting and full of different career paths, but it is not engineering.
There is a lot of learning, a lot of exams and a major shift towards words and communication. Even so, he thinks the profession suits people who enjoy challenge and variety. After around 20 years in the field, he still loves it.
Meet the IP Professional is a PatWorld interview series exploring the people and perspectives shaping the intellectual property profession. Discover more interviews in the Meet the IP Professional hub, and find out more about PatWorld — a global IP search provider working with IP professionals worldwide to support informed patent, design and trade mark decisions — on our About Us page.
Peri Jones is a Chartered UK and European Patent Attorney at Abel + Imray, where she works across physics, engineering, and technology patents. Alongside her IP career, she has built a strong interest in STEM outreach and science communication, helping make complex subjects feel more accessible and encouraging more young people, particularly girls, to consider careers in science.
Quick Profile
Name: Peri Jones Role: Chartered UK and European Patent Attorney Firm / Organisation:Abel + Imray Location: Cardiff, Wales Areas of expertise: Physics, engineering and technology patents, science communication, STEM outreach
Finding the right blend of science and communication
Peri’s route into intellectual property began with a long-standing interest in science. Growing up in North Wales, astronomy was always present at home thanks to her father’s passion for telescopes and astrophotography.
“My dad had, and still has, a big interest in astronomy and astrophotography,” she explains. “The house always had telescopes in spare corners.”
She went on to study physics at Cardiff University before completing a PhD in the astronomy instrumentation group. During that time, she also realised she enjoyed communication and writing just as much as the technical side of science.
At university, a talk from a trainee patent attorney changed her perception of what a STEM career could look like.
“I remember thinking this sounds like the perfect job,” she says. “I could combine technical expertise with communication, writing and working with inventors.”
What appealed most was the variety. Rather than focusing on one narrow technical field, she was drawn to the idea of working across a wide range of technologies and industries.
Now part of the Physics, Engineering and IT team at Abel + Imray, Peri works with clients across diverse sectors, from optics and lenses through to aircraft technologies.
Leaving academia behind
Although she enjoyed academic research, moving away from university life was not an easy decision.
“There was a little hesitation,” she admits. “Once you step away from academia, it can be difficult to go back.”
She enjoyed the research process and the collaborative environment of university life, but also recognised the uncertainty that often comes with academic funding.
“I didn’t want to spend my future constantly fighting for funding every couple of years and always worrying about what would happen next.”
The move into patent law gave her a chance to apply the skills developed during her PhD in a more commercially focused environment. Those transferable skills quickly became apparent.
“Writing a thesis helped with writing patent applications, reading research papers helped with reading prior art, and collaborating with different departments helped with dealing with inventors.”
She was also surprised by how quickly trainees become involved in client work.
“I naïvely thought I’d spend the first couple of years training in the background,” she says. “But from day one, you’re involved in real client work.”
The qualification process also brought its own challenges.
“I underestimated how difficult the exams would be,” she admits. “Failing an exam for the first time was a shock, but it definitely made me more resilient.”
Bringing science to wider audiences
Alongside her legal career, Peri has remained heavily involved in STEM outreach and science communication. That interest developed during university, where she became increasingly aware of the gender imbalance in physics.
“I started realising there was quite a big divide between males and females in physics when I was at university,” she says.
During her PhD, she began giving talks and media interviews, often in Welsh, to help make science feel more approachable and visible to wider audiences.
“I really get a kick out of trying to communicate difficult topics to the public,” she explains. “If you break things down properly, they don’t need to feel complicated.”
After completing her doctorate, she spent a year working with science communication company Science Made Simple, delivering talks and workshops in schools and at public events across Wales and beyond.
Peri was also the first Welsh-speaking science communicator employed by the organisation. This allowed them to deliver outreach activities through the medium of Welsh for the first time.
That experience left a lasting impression, particularly when visiting small rural schools across Wales.
“It was really rewarding going into these schools and showing children what they could potentially do,” she says. “A lot of the pupils came from similar backgrounds to mine.”
She believes representation and accessibility are both important when encouraging young people into STEM.
“We need to abolish STEM stereotypes and make science feel fun and accessible to everyone, particularly young girls.”
Communication at the heart of IP
Peri sees strong communication skills as central to both outreach work and intellectual property law.
Recently, she visited a Cardiff primary school where pupils were challenged to invent solutions to everyday problems.
“They came up with brilliant inventions,” she says. “Some were a bit far-fetched, but they were creative and they solved a problem, which was the brief.”
Experiences like these have reinforced the importance of explaining technical ideas clearly and confidently.
“When discussing complex topics, I always try to relate them to something day to day,” she explains. “I think about how I’d explain something to my family.”
That same approach carries through into her work with clients.
“I think being a patent attorney has made me a clearer science communicator,” she says. “You always have to think carefully about your audience.”
Balancing innovation with caution around AI
Like many within the profession, Peri sees artificial intelligence as one of the biggest developments currently shaping the IP landscape.
She believes AI has genuine potential to improve efficiency, particularly when reviewing or summarising prior art documents.
“I’m hoping AI can help make some parts of the process to be more efficient and cost effective,” she says.
However, she is cautious about relying too heavily on the technology.
“AI is a useful tool, but it needs to be used carefully because it isn’t always right.”
She believes the strategic and human elements of patent work remain difficult to replace.
“Writing a good patent application is about much more than describing an invention,” she explains. “You need to understand the client, their business goals and what they want from the patent.”
For Peri, relationships and trust remain central to the profession.
“Patent attorneys work closely with clients and build trust with them. I don’t think that human element can be replaced by AI.”
Life beyond IP
Outside work, Peri enjoys running, cycling and spending time in the mountains of North Wales.
One of her proudest achievements was completing an ultra-marathon along the Welsh coastal path from Penarth to Ogmore.
“It was tiring, but fantastic,” she says. “The weather behaved for once, which was a miracle.”
She is currently focused on returning to pre-baby fitness and hopes to complete the Swansea Half Ironman in the future after postponing the event during pregnancy.
Whenever possible, she still heads back to Snowdonia.
“If you get a clear day in the Welsh mountains, you can’t beat it,” she says. “I’m probably biased because it’s home, but they’re just fantastic.”
Looking ahead
Reflecting on her career so far, Peri believes resilience has been one of the most valuable lessons she has learned.
“Being a patent attorney has definitely made me more resilient,” she says. “It’s a challenging profession, but also a very rewarding one.”
She also hopes more young people will become aware of intellectual property careers earlier in life.
“I didn’t know anything about the IP profession until university,” she says. “That’s why outreach and visibility are so important.”
Contact Details
LinkedIn: Peri Jones LinkedIn Firm Website:Abel + Imray
Meet the IP Professional is a PatWorld interview series exploring the people and perspectives shaping the intellectual property profession. Discover more interviews in the Meet the IP Professional hub, and find out more about PatWorld — a global IP search provider working with IP professionals worldwide to support informed patent, design and trade mark decisions — on our About Us page.
Launching a new product without understanding the patent landscape can expose your business to unnecessary risk. A Freedom to Operate (FTO) search helps identify whether existing patents could affect your ability to manufacture, use, import, or sell your product in your chosen markets.
An FTO search gives businesses a clearer picture of potential patent risks before major investment is made in development, manufacturing, distribution, or launch.
Why and When Would You Need an FTO Search?
A Freedom to Operate (FTO) search is typically carried out before important commercial or technical decisions are made — particularly when launching a new product, entering new markets, beginning manufacture, seeking investment, or developing existing technology further.
The purpose is to identify potential patent risks at an early stage, helping businesses avoid unnecessary delays, disputes, or costly redesigns later in the process.
An FTO search can help businesses:
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By addressing potential issues early, businesses gain greater flexibility, clearer strategic direction, and increased confidence when moving products and technologies forward.
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Speak to Our Team
To discuss your Freedom to Operate requirements or request a quotation, contact [email protected] or complete the contact form.
Patent searches can help you assess whether an invention is truly novel and inventive, determine whether you’re free to make and sell your product, understand who else is active in your technology area, and even challenge the strength of an existing patent.
For example:
If you’ve invented a new type of wearable sensor, a combined patent and non-patent literature search — including technical papers, product manuals, and online disclosures — can reveal whether similar technology has already been described. This helps you assess novelty and inventiveness before filing a patent application.
If you’re designing a new kitchen gadget, a search can show whether similar mechanisms have already been patented — and whether you can safely sell yours without infringing someone else’s rights.
If a competitor is blocking you with a patent, a targeted search can uncover earlier documents that may weaken or invalidate their claim.
In short, patent searches offer clarity at every stage of innovation — helping you make informed decisions, reduce risk, and move forward with confidence.
Types of Patent Search
There are several important reasons to carry out a patent search — and they’re more strategic than many people realise.
1. To check if your invention is new and inventive enough to patent If someone else has already described your idea, or if it lacks inventiveness, your patent application may not be considered novel or inventive. A novelty or patentability search helps you understand whether filing is worthwhile — or whether the idea needs refining before you proceed.
2. To assess freedom to operate Just because your invention is new and inventive doesn’t necessarily mean you are free to sell it. Someone else may hold a patent covering a key aspect of your product. A Freedom-to-Operate (FTO), Infringement or Clearance search identifies patents you might infringe.
3. To monitor competitors and industry trends Staying informed about IP activity in your field helps you make smarter decisions. Who is patenting what? What technologies are emerging? Searches such as State-of-the-Art and Patent Watching help you track this.
4. To evaluate the strength or validity of an existing patent If you’re being challenged, blocked, or threatened by another patent holder, an Invalidity Search (also known as a Patent Busting search) can identify prior art that may weaken or invalidate their patent. This is particularly important when your business is at risk due to someone else’s IP rights.
PatWorld offers all of these search types — and more — through our tailored search services.
What does a patent search look like?
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Define the scope of the invention — what it is, how it works, what’s unique
Conduct the search — using specialist worldwide databases and expert querying
Review the results — identifying and categorising relevant documents
Interpret the findings — understanding risks, opportunities, and next steps
At PatWorld, our global searching covers all major jurisdictions including the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, and beyond.
When should you get a patent search?
Here are the key moments:
Before filing a patent application To check novelty and inventiveness and avoid wasted drafting or filing costs.
Before launching, manufacturing, importing, or exporting a product To help assess freedom to operate and reduce infringement risk.
When entering a new market or technology area To understand the IP landscape.
If you’re being attacked, threatened, or blocked by another patent An Invalidity Search can uncover prior art that challenges or weakens that patent.
When investing in or purchasing a patent To confirm its strength and validity.
Why choose PatWorld?
Expert search professionals trained by former patent examiners
Flexible search packages for different budgets and needs
Global coverage across all major patent jurisdictions
Clear, user-friendly reports that highlight the most relevant findings
Strict confidentiality for your ideas and product information
PatWorld does not offer legal advice. However, we work closely with qualified and experienced patent attorneys who can interpret search results, advise on legal strategy, and guide you through next steps such as filing, defending, or challenging patents.
If you’d like help choosing the right search, just let us know — we’re here to support your innovation journey.
Launching a new product is one of the most exciting steps for any small or medium-sized business. But it’s also one of the most vulnerable points — particularly when it comes to intellectual property (IP) risk.
One of the most common, yet often overlooked, aspects of this process is ensuring your innovation doesn’t infringe on existing patents. This is where Freedom to Operate (FTO) searches come in.
What is an FTO Search?
An FTO search involves analysing existing patents in relevant jurisdictions to identify whether your product, process or technology might infringe someone else’s patent rights. It helps you understand where you’re free to operate — and where you might not be.
Why SMEs Should Care
Many SMEs mistakenly assume they’re “under the radar” or that the risk is minimal. In reality, a single infringement — even unintentional — can lead to:
Legal challenges
Costly delays
Reputational damage
Product withdrawal
For SMEs, the impact can be significant and immediate.
When Should You Conduct an FTO Search?
The best time to run an FTO search is before major investment:
Before manufacturing begins
Prior to securing external funding
Ahead of commercial launch
The earlier you identify potential issues, the more options you have to address them — such as modifying the product, acquiring a licence, or challenging the patent’s validity.
How PatWorld Can Help
PatWorld’s FTO searches are designed with SMEs in mind. We combine advanced search tools with expert human analysis to give you clear, commercially relevant results.
Fast turnaround times to meet business demands
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We’ve worked with hundreds of businesses to help them launch confidently — and compliantly.
Final Thoughts
An FTO search isn’t about being cautious — it’s about being prepared. For SMEs, it can be the difference between a successful launch and an expensive misstep.
If you’re planning to bring something new to market, talk to PatWorld about how we can support you.
Patent litigation and opposition proceedings often come down to one thing: prior art. A successful legal strategy requires a robust body of evidence that can challenge the novelty or inventive step of a granted patent. PatWorld partners with patent attorneys to deliver strategic invalidity analysis that supports stronger legal outcomes.
With a combined experience of over 200 years supporting IP professionals, our expert team delivers high-quality reports and results you can trust. We leverage a broad range of databases, resources, and proprietary methodologies to provide insight-driven solutions that meet the highest standards.
The technical scope of patents is broad — so is our expertise. PatWorld employs a team of highly trained professionals covering all major areas of science and engineering, including life sciences, software, electronics, mechanical devices, and green technologies.
When you need to move fast, we move with you. Our confidential, responsive service ensures you receive comprehensive support at every stage of your legal process.
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Freedom to Operate Searches: Why Quality, Experience, and Communication Are Essential
For patent attorneys, the importance of a thorough and reliable Freedom to Operate (FTO) search is well understood. As a crucial step in assessing potential patent infringement risks before product launch or market entry, the quality of the FTO search has direct implications for strategic decision-making and risk management.
With many search providers available, it’s important to choose a partner who not only understands the technical and legal dimensions of FTO work but also aligns with your standards of responsiveness and quality.
At PatWorld, our goal is to support attorneys with detailed, jurisdiction-specific analyses that help inform sound legal opinions and provide confidence in complex commercial environments. This post outlines what sets our FTO search services apart—and why attorneys across the globe continue to trust PatWorld with their most critical IP assessments, time and again.
What Defines a High-Quality FTO Search?
An effective FTO search is characterised by its relevance, clarity, and depth. It should:
Identify potentially relevant third-party rights with precision.
Focus on enforceable patents within jurisdictions of interest.
Be tailored to the specific product or process in question.
Deliver findings in a format that facilitates legal interpretation and advice.
At PatWorld, we combine claim analysis with technical experience to ensure that each search reflects the practical needs of attorneys and their clients. We take the time to understand the commercial context and align our approach accordingly.
Why the Right Search Provider Matters
Selecting the right FTO search partner can significantly affect the reliability and usability of the results. At PatWorld, we prioritise:
Clear and proactive communication: We work closely with clients to define scope and expectations. Pre-search consultations with the search team, and regular progress updates are readily available to ensure alignment throughout the project.
Extensive experience: Our team has over 200 years of combined IP search experience, across a wide range of subject matters.
Efficient turnaround: We understand time pressures and deliver searches promptly, without compromising quality.
Competitive pricing: We offer clear, fixed-rate quotes wherever possible, ensuring confidence in cost and avoiding last-minute surprises.
These qualities contribute to long-term client relationships built on trust and consistent delivery.
Reducing Risk Through Reliable Support
Our reports are structured to be both comprehensive and easy to interpret, allowing attorneys to quickly assess key issues and determine next steps. We are also available to provide clarification and support throughout the process.
A Professional Relationship You Can Rely On
At PatWorld, we value the professional relationships we have built with our clients. For some, we have conducted hundreds of FTO searches, providing consistent support across multiple projects, sectors, and jurisdictions. We understand that trust is earned through experience, reliability, and results.
We take pride in being a responsive and dependable extension of your team. Whether it’s adjusting to evolving requirements, meeting urgent deadlines, or collaborating across time zones, we adapt to your needs. Our commitment to ongoing partnership ensures a seamless and effective working relationship, built on mutual respect and shared standards of excellence.
Conclusion: Trusted by IP Professionals Worldwide
The value of a dependable FTO search provider cannot be overstated. At PatWorld, we combine experience, communication, and efficiency to support attorneys in delivering the highest quality advice to their clients.
We take pride in the trust we’ve earned from attorneys and IP professionals worldwide. If you’re seeking a partner who brings not only expertise, but consistency and responsiveness, we’d be pleased to support your next FTO search.
For inventors, researchers and innovators, understanding what has already been developed can be an important part of turning an idea into something commercially valuable.
Patent searching provides access to a vast source of technical information and can help you investigate existing technologies, identify relevant prior art and gain a clearer understanding of the landscape surrounding an invention.
But effective patent searching is about much more than entering a few keywords into a database. Knowing how to search, and how to refine and interpret what you find, is what makes the difference.
Why Patent Searching Matters
Explore existing technology
A patentability search can help identify earlier patent publications that may be relevant to an invention. This can provide useful information before significant time and resources are committed to further development.
Understand the wider innovation landscape
Patent documents contain a wealth of technical information. Searching them can help reveal how technologies have developed, who is active within a particular field and where opportunities for further innovation may exist.
Make better-informed decisions
A structured search can provide valuable evidence to support discussions about product development and intellectual property strategy.
Different types of patent searches answer different questions, however. A patentability search, for example, should not be confused with a Freedom to Operate search or legal opinion.
Develop a valuable research skill
Good patent searching combines technical understanding with structured research. Learning how to identify concepts, build search strategies, use patent classifications and assess results can help you search more systematically and effectively.
Learn How to Search, Not Just How to Use a Database
PatWorld’s Introduction to Patent Searching course has been developed by experienced patent search professionals to teach the methodology behind effective patent searching.
Rather than being tied to one commercial database, the course focuses on search principles and techniques that can be transferred across different patent-searching platforms.
Practical examples and guided activities use Espacenet, the European Patent Office’s free patent database, allowing learners to put the techniques into practice as they progress through the course.
What Will You Learn?
Across nine modules, the course takes learners through the patentability-searching process, including:
understanding different types of patent searches;
defining and refining the scope of a patentability search;
developing keywords and search concepts;
using truncation, phrase searching, Boolean and proximity operators;
constructing and refining effective search strings;
using patent classifications;
analysing and assessing search results;
understanding the limitations and risks involved in patent searching; and
exploring further search tools, advanced search types, AI and patent analytics.
The emphasis throughout is on developing a structured and repeatable approach to patent searching, rather than simply learning where to click within a particular database.
Practical, Flexible Learning
The course is online and self-paced, so you can work through it when it suits you.
Guided activities, scenarios and practical exercises help turn the theory into usable search skills, while a course handbook and supporting resources provide material you can return to as your experience develops.
On successful completion, learners receive a digital certificate.
Who Is the Course For?
Although patent searching can be particularly useful for inventors and researchers who want to understand the patent landscape around their work, the course is also suited to:
patent and IP professionals developing their searching skills;
IP managers;
patent analysts;
technology transfer and commercialisation professionals;
university and research teams; and
anyone looking to build or refresh their understanding of patent searching.
It is suitable both for those who are relatively new to patent searching and those with some experience who want to strengthen their methodology and approach.
Start Building Your Patent-Searching Skills
Effective searching isn’t simply about having access to the right database. It is about understanding what to search, how to search and how to evaluate what you find.
The Introduction to Patent Searching course gives you a structured foundation for developing those skills, using practical examples and techniques you can apply across different patent databases.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to leave the searching to the experts, our professional team is here to help. Check out our Search Services for expert-led patent searches tailored to your needs.
For students developing new technologies, products or research ideas, understanding what has already been invented can be an important part of the innovation process.
Patent searching can help student innovators explore existing technology, identify relevant prior art and gain a better understanding of the patent landscape surrounding their ideas. It can also develop valuable research and analytical skills that are useful both academically and professionally.
Why Patent Searching Matters for Student Innovators
Understanding What Has Already Been Developed
Before investing significant time and resources in an idea, it is useful to investigate whether similar technologies or inventions already exist.
Patent searching can help students identify relevant earlier patent publications and build a clearer picture of the existing state of the art.
Assessing Novelty
A well-structured patentability search can help identify prior art that may be relevant when considering whether an invention appears new.
It is important to remember that an initial patent search does not replace professional patent advice, but it can provide valuable information to support further discussions with technology transfer teams, IP professionals or patent attorneys.
Exploring Technological Trends
Patent databases contain a huge amount of technical information.
By analysing patent publications, students can investigate how technologies have developed, identify organisations active in a particular field and explore areas where further innovation may be possible.
Developing Research and Analytical Skills
Effective patent searching involves much more than simply typing keywords into a search box.
Students learn how to:
identify the important technical concepts within an invention;
develop relevant keywords and alternative terminology;
construct structured search strategies;
use patent classifications;
refine searches as new information is discovered; and
assess the relevance of search results.
These are transferable research skills that can be valuable across academic, scientific and commercial environments.
Introduction to Patent Searching
PatWorld’s Introduction to Patent Searching course has been developed by experienced patent search professionals to provide a practical introduction to effective patent searching.
The course focuses on the methodology behind good searching, helping learners understand how to develop, refine and evaluate a patent search rather than simply learning how to use one particular database.
Practical activities use Espacenet, the European Patent Office’s free patent database, giving students the opportunity to apply the techniques they learn as they progress through the course.
What Will Students Learn?
Across nine modules, learners are introduced to the key stages involved in patentability searching, including:
understanding different types of patent searches;
defining the scope of a patentability search;
gathering keywords and alternative terminology;
using truncation, phrase searching, Boolean and proximity operators;
constructing and refining search strings;
using patent classifications;
analysing patent search results;
understanding database, publication and keyword limitations; and
exploring further search tools, advanced search types, AI and patent analytics.
The emphasis throughout is on developing a structured, repeatable search methodology that can be transferred across different patent databases and research environments.
Key Benefits of the Course
Practical Patent-Searching Skills
Learn how to build and refine structured patent searches using techniques employed by professional patent researchers.
Hands-On Experience
Guided activities using Espacenet allow learners to put the methodology into practice as they work through the course.
Transferable Research Skills
The course develops keyword generation, classification searching, search strategy, analysis and reporting skills that can be applied across different patent-searching platforms.
Flexible Online Learning
The course is available online and can be completed at your own pace, making it easy to fit around university studies, research projects or other commitments.
Digital Certificate
On successful completion of the course, learners receive a digital certificate recognising their achievement.
Who Is the Course For?
The course is suitable for anyone who wants to develop a better understanding of patent searching, including:
undergraduate and postgraduate students;
student innovators and entrepreneurs;
researchers;
university technology transfer and commercialisation teams;
early-career IP professionals; and
anyone interested in developing foundational patent-searching skills.
No previous patent-searching experience is required.
Build Patent-Searching Skills That Support Innovation
Patent searching can help student innovators understand the existing technology surrounding their ideas while also developing valuable research and analytical skills.
Learning how to search systematically — rather than simply relying on a particular database — provides a foundation that can continue to be used throughout academic research, innovation projects and future professional careers.
There may be situations where a student, university research team or spin-out requires a more detailed professional search.
PatWorld’s experienced patent analysts provide professional Patentability, Freedom to Operate, Invalidity, State-of-the-Art, Landscape and other specialist patent searches tailored to individual projects.
Our team can work alongside inventors, university technology transfer teams, researchers and patent professionals to provide expert-led patent research where a more comprehensive search is required.
If you’d prefer to leave the searching to the experts, our professional team is here to help. Check out our Search Services for expert-led patent searches tailored to your needs.
PatWorld Global IP Research Services
Patent, Design, and Trademark Research Experts with a combined experience of over 200 years in Intellectual Property searching. Highly trained, dynamic in-house research teams specialising in a wide range of subject matter. All our analysts follow a training program developed by former IPO Examiners. Our teams are available to discuss any specific technical points regarding your search enquiries.
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