ZYL Law Firm screens new products for U.S. patent risk before they launch on Amazon and other marketplaces. Our professional fees are: Screening $800; targeted analysis $1,800; FTO opinion from $3,500. Each tier is limited to a defined product and technology scope agreed in writing. Searches and claim comparisons are performed by Xinyu Zhang, Ph.D., a USPTO-registered patent agent (Reg. No. 83,930); legal conclusions and FTO opinions are issued under attorney review. No search finds every patent, and no opinion can guarantee that a patent owner will not complain or sue.
Search and claim analysis by Xinyu Zhang, Ph.D., USPTO Reg. No. 83,930 · legal review by Yaling Zhou, Attorney (CT, NY) · Rules reviewed:
Three levels of review
What we need from you
- The productPhotos, drawings, or a sample, plus a description of how it works and what is new about it.
- The marketWhere you plan to sell, the expected launch date, and the listing category.
- Competitor productsLinks to the products most similar to yours; their patent markings are often the fastest lead.
- Your own filingsAny patent applications you or your manufacturer have filed, in China or elsewhere.
Why it is worth doing before launch
- Design patents are the most common trigger.A design patent can block a product shape even when the function is old. Screening catches the obvious ones.
- Redesign is cheap before tooling.Changing a mold or an appearance before production costs far less than after inventory is in a warehouse.
- A documented process helps later.If a complaint arrives, a prior search and a reasoned analysis support a faster, better-informed response.
- Your own design patent.If the product is new, the same review shows whether you should file a design patent before launch.
How it works
- ScopeWe agree in writing on the product, features, and jurisdictions to be covered, and the tier.
- SearchU.S. utility and design patents and published applications, using classification and keyword strategies.
- ReportA written result at the agreed depth, with patent status, risk ranking, and options.
- Next stepDesign-around, a design patent of your own, or a formal opinion where the risk calls for it.
Fees
| Service | Professional fee | Includes | Not included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-launch patent risk screening | Screening $800; targeted analysis $1,800; FTO opinion from $3,500 | Search, screening, and claim comparison within a defined product and technology scope. | Design-around work |
| Patent complaint written response Including design patents | From $800 | Patent status check; claim or design comparison; written non-infringement statement. | Invalidity search (quoted separately) |
Related: patent design-around, design patent applications, and the patent litigation risk report for products already accused.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a patent check before selling on Amazon cost?
Our professional fees are: Screening $800; targeted analysis $1,800; FTO opinion from $3,500. Each is limited to a defined product and technology scope agreed in writing.
Is a screening the same as a freedom-to-operate opinion?
No. A screening is a first pass to find patents that need attention. An FTO opinion is a formal written analysis of specific patents and takes more time.
Can a search guarantee that no one will complain?
No. No search finds every patent, published applications can issue later, and any patent owner can file a complaint. A search reduces and documents the risk; it does not eliminate it.
Does a search cover design patents?
Yes. Design patents are a frequent source of marketplace complaints, and every tier includes them for the agreed product scope.
Who performs the search?
Xinyu Zhang, Ph.D., a USPTO-registered patent agent (Reg. No. 83,930), performs the search and claim comparison. Legal conclusions and opinions are issued under attorney review.
Can I rely on my manufacturer's Chinese patent?
A Chinese patent has no effect in the United States and does not show that the product is free of U.S. patents owned by others.
Primary sources
- USPTO Patent Public Search
- 35 U.S.C. § 271 (infringement)
- 35 U.S.C. § 298 (advice of counsel)
- 35 U.S.C. § 173 (design patent term)
Platform rules, deposits, and fees change; confirm against your notice and the current platform rules before acting.
Tell us about the product you plan to launch
Email photos or drawings, a short description, links to competing products, and your launch date to ip@zyllaw.com. We confirm the scope, the conflict check, and a fixed quote before any work begins.
Email ip@zyllaw.com E-commerce IP overview