February 4, 2008—Thirty-one patents on technology that directly or indirectly protect the environment were recently released for the public good by such leaders of the corporate community as IBM, Nokia, Pitney-Bowes, and Sony.
These patents mark the launch of the Eco-Patent Commons, an initiative spearheaded by IBM to create a collection of patents on new technologies, processes, and ideas that the public can use freely to address a wide range of environmental problems. The Commons will solicit patents that do not represent an essential source of business advantage for the originating company but that would be helpful for others facing similar challenges.
The patents will address such issues as: energy conservation or efficiency; pollution prevention (source reduction, waste reduction); the use of environmentally preferable materials or substances; materials reduction; and increased recycling ability. One example is a way to replace liquid solvents with ozone gas as a surface cleaner.
The Eco-Patent Commons, which will be hosted by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), is available online.
