Stop Guessing.
Start Clearing.

FTO analysis determines whether a product, process, or service can be commercialized without infringing active patents held by others. It involves identifying relevant patents, analyzing claims against your product features, and assessing infringement risk. FTO is distinct from patentability searches, which assess whether your invention is novel.

FTO costs vary significantly by scope. A single-product clearance for a focused technology area may cost $3,000–$10,000. A full portfolio clearance for M&A due diligence can range from $25,000 to $100,000+. At Hahn & Associates, AI-powered search and analysis can reduce these costs by 40–80% compared to traditional methods. We price FTO by scope and confirm fees in writing before work begins.

The four most common triggers are: (1) before launching a new product, (2) during M&A due diligence, (3) when investors require IP diligence, and (4) when entering a new market or technology area. The earlier you conduct FTO, the more options you have to design around problematic patents.

AI-powered FTO uses machine learning to search patent databases more comprehensively, compare claims against product features automatically, and identify relevant patents that traditional keyword searches miss. This reduces turnaround from weeks to days while improving coverage. The attorney still provides the legal judgment — AI handles the heavy lifting.

A patentability search assesses whether your invention is novel and non-obvious enough to patent. An FTO analysis assesses whether your product infringes anyone else's active patent claims. You can have a patentable invention that still infringes another patent. These are fundamentally different analyses with different methodologies.

Traditional FTO typically takes 4–8 weeks. With AI-powered analysis, Hahn & Associates can deliver initial results in 1–2 weeks for standard scope. Complex multi-product clearances may take longer. Expedited turnaround is available for M&A timelines and product launch deadlines.