Expiring patents & FTO

The Expiring Patents view is a calendar of when relevant patents reach the end of their term — the point at which the protected technology becomes free to use. Knowing these dates helps you plan product launches and manufacturing decisions with freedom-to-operate confidence.

What it shows

• A month-by-month calendar of upcoming patent expiry dates.
• Color cues that show urgency, so the most time-sensitive dates stand out.
• A day-level view — select a day to see exactly which patents expire then.

The calendar draws from the patents already relevant to you: those on your watchlist, those tied to your competitors, and those matched by your technology areas.

How to use it

1. In the left menu, open Expiring Patents.
2. Browse the month grid. Use the urgency colors to spot the dates that need attention.
3. Select a day to see the patents expiring on that date, then open any patent for its full details.

Why this matters for planning

When a blocking patent is about to expire, that may be your opportunity to launch or expand without the same constraints. Conversely, knowing that a key patent still has years to run helps you plan around it. The calendar turns these dates into something you can act on.

Coverage

The expiry calendar currently covers USPTO and EPO patents, the offices where freedom-to-operate dates are most often needed for launch planning.

PatentSecure provides decision support for your IP management and does not replace individual legal advice. Confirm critical freedom-to-operate decisions with a qualified professional before acting.