6. Monitoring third-party intellectual property rights

It is strongly recommended to monitor competitors' IP rights, because :

• This keeps you informed of their research work (publication of the patent application 18 months after filing) and technological developments;

• monitoring enables you to avoid falling within the scope of protection of a prior IP right (freedom to operate study), and to circumvent it if necessary.

Use l’INPI (Institut national de la propriété industrielle) and base Statuts des brevets to research your competitors. You can also consult :