# Patent search brief template

Published by [Rightium](https://www.rightium.org/services/search-solutions).

Use this checklist to scope patent research with your analyst and counsel. Share confidential invention details through an agreed private channel.

## 1. Decision

- What decision should this research support: filing, product launch, opposition, competitor monitoring or R&D planning?
- Which search type is requested, and why?
- Who will review the findings?

## 2. Technical subject

- Describe the invention or product in plain language.
- List the essential technical features and alternative implementations.
- Include diagrams where available.
- Give known patent publications, products, papers and technical synonyms.

## 3. Boundaries

- Identify intended markets and relevant jurisdictions.
- For invalidity research, specify the target patent, claims and relevant dates for counsel to confirm.
- For freedom to operate research, specify the product configuration, intended activities and launch plans.
- Identify exclusions and unresolved scope questions.

## 4. Deliverable

- Agree the reference-ranking or claim-mapping format.
- Specify the search log, databases and date ranges to document.
- Request source citations and an explicit record of evidence gaps.
- Agree editable file formats, review checkpoints and the final deadline.

## 5. Review

- Confirm scope, fee, timing and confidentiality arrangements before work starts.
- Agree how new information or a scope change will be handled.
- Have the responsible legal or business team assess the findings before acting.

A patentability search and an FTO search answer different questions. This template does not provide a legal opinion or guarantee a filing or launch outcome.