How often should a startup check freedom to operate?
Reviewed by
Dominic Davies, patent attorney (20+ years)
· Last reviewed
September 11, 2026
Continuously, not once. New applications publish every week, applications stay hidden for 18 months after filing, and pending claims can change during examination, so a one-off search decays quickly. The practical pattern is competitor watchlists running all the time, plus targeted analysis before a launch, pilot, or fundraise.
We use essential cookies to make our site work. 🍪 With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyse website traffic. By clicking “Accept,” you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy. You can change your cookie settings at any time by clicking “Preferences.”
