The ‘green’ database is intended to provide businesses with access to information on environmentally sound inventions thus supporting sustainable and responsible economic growth. The database is free to users, updated weekly and, at the date of writing, contains 108 entries.

Users of the database should, however, bear in mind that the database is just that, a database, and that the publication of "green" patent application details is not a licence to operate under those patents. The proprietary rights of the patent owners are no different from those of other patent holders. Moreover, the database is not intended to be a comprehensive record of all "green" patent applications but rather to consolidate details of all patent applications processed under the fast track ‘Green Channel’ scheme, which has been running since 12 May 2009.

"Green Channel" accelerated patent applications

Requests for accelerated "Green Channel" patent applications must be made in writing and set out clearly the ‘green’ focus of the product. Interestingly, the criteria for qualifying as a green invention are not defined. IPO guidance encourages applicants to provide "as much justification as is necessary".

Applicants may choose the area of the patenting process they wish to accelerate: search, examination, combined search and examination and/ or publication. No additional fee is payable in respect of Green Channel accelerated prosecution and the service is also available for applications made prior to 12 May 2009.

The UK IPO press statement claims that the Green Channel scheme reduces the time required for the granting of a patent to as little as nine months, compared to the average of three years.

EPO green classification system

The UK IPO announcement coincides with the release of a new clean energy database at the 32nd United Nations Framework Convention on climate change, during a side event on patents in clean energy. This database was created as part of a joint study on IP and climate change mitigation technologies carried out by the European Patent Office (EPO), the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development.

A new EPO classification scheme has introduced the code Y02, to be assigned to climate change mitigation technologies. This is divided into subclasses,  e.g. Y02C for "greenhouse gases - capture or storage/sequestration or disposal" and Y02E for "greenhouse gases - emission reduction technologies related to energy generation, transmission or distribution".

22 July 2010

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