IP assessment template

Patent landscape and freedom-to-operate evaluation for deep-tech startups.

Technology area

Core technical area or claim (1–2 sentences).

Own IP

Filed: application numbers, jurisdictions, status
Granted: patent numbers, claims of interest
Ownership: university/employer assignment; co-inventors
Trade secrets / know-how not in patents

Competitive landscape (prior art)

Key patents (assignee, number, relevance)
Key publications or products that could affect FTO
White space: areas with little or no blocking IP

Freedom to operate (FTO)

Risks: claims that could read on your product or method
Mitigation: design-around, license, or invalidity opinion
Recommendation: proceed / seek opinion / license

Next steps

e.g. Full FTO search, counsel review, license negotiation.

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