To: Dr. Gordon Brown
From: Ted LaFrance
Re: The Eco-Patent Commons provides hope
Many companies have been taking the initiative in providing alternative methods to their energy use and environmental impacts. A few companies are taking further action using the idea of Eco-Patent Commons. These companies include; IBM, Sony, Nokia, and various others. This would entail a public release of innovative and environmentally friendly business and manufacturing processes. Patents usually involve a process or idea that a company would like to keep for itself. A company keeps a process under a patent to increase their efficiency and revenue. In this case, the patents are just that, with an environmental and planet friendly perspective.
The opening up of patents to the public will inspire other companies to join the coalition as well as use the processes. According to CNNMoney.com, “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.” Public patents provided by IBM, the initiator of the idea (Eco-Patent Commons), will drive the economic based sector into protecting the environment. Eco-Patents will provide ideas related to; “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, and increased recycling opportunity,” states WBCSD. Furthering research and innovative practices, induced by these public patents, will be “…substantive effort to make global business a little greener,” says SFGate.com. Ideas and efficiency patents will be open to the market! By providing our patents to this coalition, we too can make a difference for the better.
A company that is incredibly power hungry and protective of its processes may not want to share its patents. This poses a problem with the overall idea of Eco-Patent Commons. If companies are unwilling to share their ideas, environmentally friendly progression will be slowed. “Persuading companies to turn over intellectual property is the project's biggest challenge, Kappos said. He argues that the sharing of patents may help companies make more money,” finds Bloomberg.com. What companies are going to have to realize is that opening these patents to the public will spur further innovation by themselves and other, to stay on top of the ‘game’. Invariably, this competition will increase incentives for research and development which will inherently help the earth. Lets join The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and increase our profits, provide environmental incentive, and reduce our environmental impact on the earth. Patents can be held for up to 20 years. Innovation was roaring previous to the Eco-Patent Commons. Imagine the advances that can be made!
Further Information:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aE_ojM6q3QPg&refer=us
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0347720.htm
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/14/BU6IUDVBM.DTL
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