Patent Sharing Could Boost Electronics Recycling

Several prominent corporations are working together in what is being billed as a first-of-its-kind effort to release dozens of innovative, environmentally responsible patents to the public domain.

Leading the effort are the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Geneva, Switzerland, and IBM, Armonk, N.Y. In a news release, the two organizations announced that they 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 Web site hosted by the WBCSD at www.wbcsd.org/web/epc.

“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 to protect and respect the environment,” the IBM and the WBCSD state in their news release.

Patents pledged to the Eco-Patent Commons feature innovations focused on environmental matters and innovations in manufacturing or business processes where the solution provides an environmental benefit.

Examples of the environmental benefits expected for pledged patents include:

• Increased recycling opportunity
• Energy conservation or improved energy or fuel efficiency
• Pollution prevention (source reduction, waste reduction)
• Use of environmentally preferable materials or substances
• Water or materials use reduction.

“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,” says Bjorn Stigson, president of the WBCSD.

“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,” says Dr. John E. Kelly III, senior vice president and director of IBM Research. “We strongly urge other companies to contribute to the Eco-Patent Commons.”

Membership in the Eco-Patent Commons is open to all individuals and companies pledging one or more patents, according to the news release. Other companies taking part in the initiative include Sony Corp., Nokia and Pitney Bowes.

Hidemi Tomita, general manager of Sony Corp.’s Corporate Social Responsibility Department, says, “To more effectively protect the environment, it is time for business to join efforts rather than tackling the issue alone. We are excited to launch this platform to share technologies that will bring about positive changes in the environment.”