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>[25.Nov.09] Patents – Findings contribute to debate on climate and patents
Source: EPO [Adapted]

Technology is predominately exchanged and transferred among the industrially developed countries, according to an unprecedented survey of licensing practices among leading actors in the clean energy sector. Outside the industrialised block, the main beneficiaries of technology transfer have been the fast-growing economies of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), with China topping the list.

These are some of the first findings of a joint study conducted by the EPO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) to gain a better understanding of the role played by patents in the deployment and dissemination of these technologies in developing countries.

Initial results of patent landscaping in the area of energy generation show that, over the past few years, there has been a marked increase in patenting activity in clean energy technologies as compared to those using fossil fuel energy. Notably, the number of patents in these areas increased appreciably after the Kyoto Agreement was signed.

The partner organisations intend to continue working together beyond publication of the final study in the first half of 2010. They also plan to examine the use of environmentally-friendly technologies in sectors such as construction, transport, industrial processes and agriculture.