This document discusses the importance of understanding intellectual property and patents in agricultural innovation and commercialization. It provides information on several free and subscription-based patent databases that can be used to research patents. It also describes how PIPRA conducts freedom to operate analyses to ensure new innovations do not infringe on existing intellectual property rights. The process involves defining the technology, forming a team of experts, developing search questions, conducting an investigation of relevant patents and intellectual property, and producing a report on the state of the art. The results can help inform intellectual property management strategies.