GENEVA, Switzerland — Leading members of the corporate community have come together in a first-of-its-kind effort to help the environment, unleashing dozens of innovative, environmentally responsible patents to the public domain.
Availability of these patents will encourage researchers, entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes in any industry to create, apply, and further develop their consumer or industrial products, processes, and services in a way that will help protect and respect the environment.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and IBM — named by IFI Claims as the leading earner of US patents for the 15th consecutive year — are initiating this effort in partnership with Nokia, Pitney Bowes, and Sony.
The pledged portfolio, dubbed the “Eco-Patent Commons,” is available on a dedicated, public website hosted by the WBCSD (http://www.wbcsd.org/web/epc).
Patents pledged to the Eco-Patent Commons — originally proposed at IBM’s Global Innovation Outlook conference — feature innovations focused on environmental matters and innovations in manufacturing or business processes where the solution provides an environmental benefit.
For example, a company may pledge a patent for a manufacturing process that reduces hazardous waste generation, or energy or water consumption. A pledged patent covering a procurement or logistics solution may reduce fuel consumption.
Examples of the environmental benefits expected for pledged patents include:
• Energy conservation or improved energy or fuel efficiency;
• Pollution prevention (source reduction, waste reduction);
• Use of environmentally preferable materials or substance;
• Water or materials use reduction; and
• Increased recycling opportunity.
“The Eco-Patent Commons provides a unique and significant leadership opportunity for business to make a difference — sharing their innovations and solutions in support of sustainable development,” said Bjorn Stigson, WBCSD president.
“The Eco-Patent Commons also provides an opportunity for companies and other entities to identify areas of common interest and establish new relationships that can lead to further development in the patented technologies and elsewhere,” Stigson added.
“Innovation to address environmental issues will require both the application of technology as well as new models for sharing intellectual property among companies in different industries,” said Dr. John Kelly III, IBM senior vice president and director of IBM Research.
“As the leader in US patents for 15 consecutive years, with 3,125 patents issued in 2007, IBM is excited to bring its patent resources to bear in service of the environment. In addition to enabling new players to engage in protecting the environment, the free exchange of valuable intellectual property will accelerate work on the next level of environmental challenges. We strongly urge other companies to contribute to the Eco-Patent Commons,” Kelly added.
Membership in the Eco-Patent Commons is open to all individuals and companies pledging one or more patents.
The selection and submission of each organization’s patents for pledging is at the organization’s discretion.
The founding companies and the WBCSD are inviting other interested companies to become members and participate in this initiative promoting innovation and collaboration to help protect the planet.
The Eco-Patent Commons was originally proposed at IBM’s Global Innovation Outlook (GIO) conference, which brought together hundreds of the world’s thought leaders from business, politics, academia, and not-for-profits to discuss business and social challenges, demonstrating the power and benefits of open, collaborative innovation models.