Privacy policy

At FTO Checker, we value your privacy and treat your invention data with the highest level of confidentiality. This privacy policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and your rights under applicable data protection laws, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

FTO Checker operates in two distinct contexts: directly through ftochecker.com, and through white-label partners (typically IP firms) who embed our service on their own websites. This policy covers both. Where the two contexts differ, the difference is explained.

 

1. Information we collect

When you use FTO Checker, we may collect the following types of data:

a. Invention-related data

The invention description you submit via our form — whether on ftochecker.com or on a partner firm's website where our service is embedded.

b. Personal data

Your email address (used to deliver your report and follow up on your request), and, in the partner context, any additional information collected by the partner firm's form (such as your name or affiliation, if requested).

c. Technical data

Device type, browser type, IP address, and limited usage data, collected automatically for security and performance monitoring.

We do not collect or store payment information ourselves. All payment processing is handled securely by Stripe.

 

2. How we use your data

We use your data to:

  • Process your request and generate the report
  • Deliver the report to you by email
  • In the white-label partner context, also deliver the report to the partner firm (see Section 5)
  • Improve the service in anonymized, aggregate form only
  • Fulfill legal and administrative obligations

We do not:

  • Use your invention description for training AI models
  • Sell your data, or share it with third parties for commercial purposes
  • Reuse or analyze your submission beyond report generation

To generate the report, we rely on technical service providers (encrypted databases, email delivery, patent search APIs, language model providers) that act as data processors under contractual data protection agreements. They do not use your data for their own purposes.

 

3. Invention confidentiality

FTO Checker was designed from the ground up to protect your invention:

  • All sensitive data is protected in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest (AES-256-GCM), using the same encryption standards as banks and government agencies.
  • Your exact description is never submitted verbatim to search engines or patent databases. Instead, our system generates multiple neutral paraphrased versions for querying, limiting any potential disclosure.
  • Your submission is deleted from our active systems once the report has been delivered and any partner-side access has expired (see Section 7 on retention).

If you'd like us to delete your submission manually or immediately, you may contact us at any time at privacy@ftochecker.com.

 

4. Data storage and security

All data is processed through providers that are ISO/IEC 27001 certified. We use infrastructure based in the European Union, ensuring:

  • GDPR-compliant data handling
  • End-to-end encryption during data transmission
  • Controlled access to all storage systems

We retain minimal technical logs for no more than 30 days, solely for abuse prevention and operational monitoring.

 

5. White-label partner usage

When FTO Checker is embedded on a partner firm's website (typically an IP law firm or innovation services provider), the following applies in addition to the general policy above.

a. Who does what

The partner firm is the primary point of contact for your engagement. It collects your submission through a form on its own website, decides how to follow up with you, and uses the report as part of the service it offers you. FTO Checker acts as a technical service provider (data processor under GDPR), generating the report on the partner firm's behalf.

b. Who receives your data

Your submission and the resulting report are accessible to both the partner firm and FTO Checker. The partner firm receives the report at the same time you do, so it can prepare follow-up steps if relevant. The partner firm is bound by its own professional confidentiality obligations (which, for IP firms, typically include attorney-client privilege or equivalent professional secrecy duties).

c. Retention in the partner context

Unlike the direct ftochecker.com usage, your submission and report may be retained for the duration of the partner firm's contractual relationship with FTO Checker, so that the partner firm can access its leads and reports through its dashboard. You can request deletion at any time by contacting either the partner firm or FTO Checker.

d. Exercising your rights

You can exercise your data protection rights (access, rectification, deletion, objection) by contacting either the partner firm or FTO Checker. We recommend starting with the partner firm, which is your primary point of contact. If you cannot get a satisfactory response, you can reach us directly at privacy@ftochecker.com.

 

6. Legal basis (GDPR)

Under GDPR, we process your personal data based on:

  • Consent — when you submit an invention via our form
  • Performance of a contract — when the service is provided through a white-label partner that has contracted with FTO Checker
  • Legitimate interest — for securing and maintaining the service

You have the right to:

  • Access or rectify your personal data
  • Request deletion of your data
  • Withdraw your consent at any time
  • Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority

To exercise any of these rights, please email us at privacy@ftochecker.com.

 

7. Cookies and tracking

We use cookies strictly necessary for website functionality (such as form submission and language selection), and analytics cookies that help us understand how the site is used. You can review and adjust your preferences through the cookie banner on first visit.

 

8. Data retention

Direct ftochecker.com usage: invention submissions are deleted within a short window after report delivery (typically less than 24 hours). Email and metadata are stored only as needed to fulfill your request and comply with administrative or legal obligations.

White-label partner usage: invention submissions and reports may be retained for the duration of the partner firm's contractual relationship with FTO Checker, so that the partner firm can access its leads. You can request deletion at any time.

 

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our service or legal obligations. The latest version will always be available on this page.

 

10. Contact

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, or if you'd like to exercise your data rights, you can reach us at privacy@ftochecker.com.