The Eco-Patent Commons scheme endeavors to make sustainability patents freely available to make it easier for companies to develop products that can protect the environment.
HP has donated three patents; a self contained battery recycling station, a weld process monitoring system, and a process that reduces the amount of anti-oxidant metals like gold in microchip and circuit board production.
The Project is a joint venture between the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and IBM, Nokia, Pitney Bowes, and Sony.
Björn Stigson, President of the WBCSD, said: “We are very pleased that HP has joined this initiative and made multiple patents available.
“The premise of the Commons is that the free sharing of these patents leads to new collaborations and innovation aimed at helping others become more eco-efficient and/or operate in a more sustainable way.”
Since it was founded in 2008, Eco-Patent Commons has had over 100 patents donated, with other printing OEM donators including Ricoh and Xerox.
Any individual or company is eligible to donate a patent to the scheme. Click here to learn more about Eco-Patent Commons, and for information on how to apply for membership.