Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Corporations Share Green Tech Patents

IBM, Nokia, Sony and Pitney-Bowes join the new Eco-patent Commons

By Laila Weir,  Newser User

Posted Jan 14, 2008 2:31 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – IBM tops the list of companies donating patents to a group that aims to help businesses produce greener products by sharing eco-friendly technology. Big Blue has promised 27 patents to the Eco-patent Commons; Nokia, Sony and mail equipment maker Pitney-Bowes will also donate, reports PC World. Shared patents will be freely available to all companies.

The environmentally-friendly technologies covered in the patents already promised to the organization include some for waste water treatment, air purification, cell-phone recycling, and printer ink consumption reduction. The project, inspired by the open-source software movement, intends to help companies tackle environmental challenges that other businesses have already addressed.

Show attendees try out Nokia phones at the Nokia booth at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Show attendees try out Nokia phones at the Nokia booth at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)   (Associated Press)
The patent for the Spin Brush electric toothbrush is displayed at Nottingjham-Spirk Design Associates in Cleveland, Ohio Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
The patent for the Spin Brush electric toothbrush is displayed at Nottingjham-Spirk Design Associates in Cleveland, Ohio Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)   (Associated Press)
The IBM logo at the main campus in Research Triangle Park, N.C. is seen in this July 31, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Karen Tam, file)
The IBM logo at the main campus in Research Triangle Park, N.C. is seen in this July 31, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Karen Tam, file)   (Associated Press)
In a file photo Howard Stringer, head of Japanese electronics and entertainment company Sony Corp. speaks to a group of reporters in Tokyo Monday, June 26, 2006. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
In a file photo Howard Stringer, head of Japanese electronics and entertainment company Sony Corp. speaks to a group of reporters in Tokyo Monday, June 26, 2006. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

About the Eco-patent Commons
Wbcsd.org

 
recycling • IBM • Nokia • Sony • green technology • patent • Eco patent Commons • Pitney Bowes

More Newser Stories

Sony Gets Green Thumbs-Up in Electronics Rankings

Gray Smog Conceals a Greening China

Kegger-Plagued College Town Paves With Rubber

Tech Firms Buoyed by Demand Abroad

World's Biggest Tech Show Goes Green
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne