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Clean technology patenting in large companies

Notes from the breakout session

Moderated by Markus Müller 

Thomas Ahrens, Head of Patents, Trademark, Licensing - Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg
Magnus Hallin, Chief Executive Officer - Awapatent AB, Malmö
Albert Zeestraten, Associate General Counsel - Shell International B. V., The Hague

• The focus on start-ups is too great-a more obvious trend in clean technology R&D, and one that involves more money, involves large industry.
• Green technology not only drives further development, but also economics. It is more economical for the users.
• Clean tech is not a new technical discipline-from strictly a legal point of view, the issues are the same as in other areas. The difference in clean tech is that it is a multidisciplinary area, which combines many different technological areas, not just one. Generally speaking, there is more cooperation than in other fields.
• As in all R&D collaborations, cooperation is key. What can be problematic is the end result and the ownership of the R&D collaboration. Often if multiple companies work together, they can't decide who owns the inventions. It's incredibly important to regulate how the ownership is carried out. Otherwise it's an area of dispute and the money that is put into patent protection could be at risk.
• What do we do? Should all innovations be free to save the planet? In the short term, this could be good. But in the long term, this is really not right. Now we really need incentives for clean innovations. They need a return on their investment. To go for an open source system isn't any good.
• IP is a tool for national competitiveness, but also a moral issue. It can be a way to rapidly share technology.
• Companies must consider- Maybe it's wise to license. Maybe it's something to share.
• Q.) Are IP rights a threat to further cooperation? A.) The IP patent system as it is is suitable for any technology. If it is a barrier for one area, it is a barrier for all. I don't think clean IP needs a separate system. I don't think so. (A.Zeestraten)
• It's hard to distinguish between patents focused on clean technology or on the consumer. For example, fuel saving is important. Noise reduction is important. This goes for customers and for the environment.