The three bodies behind the World Standards Co-operation initiative (WSC) have harmonised their policies on the inclusion of patented technology in standards. The move was announced in a 19 March joint press release from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU). While the groups understand that technologies developed by the firms they represent will be used on a wide, industrial scale, they seek to maintain due process in IP transactions, ensuring the prosperity of both rights-holders and end-users.

Marking a bold, new cooperative phase, the harmonisation of patent policy is sure to influence the pattern of technology transfer around the world. IEC general secretary Aharon Amit welcomed the agreement: ‘Industry has been seeking a common approach to patents from the world’s leading standards developers. I am pleased that the increased collaboration between the World Standards Co-operation partners has led to the development of this common policy which will ultimately benefit end-users and industry.’

Amit was backed by Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau: ‘Today, it is difficult to develop technical standards without implicating patents … We believe that this policy will encourage industry to share its intellectual property with implementers of standards on a reasonable basis, knowing that their interests will be protected.’

ISO secretary general, Alan Bryden, said: ‘[We have enabled] international standards to be used to successfully disseminate innovation, with a clear set of guidelines regarding the disclosure of and commitment to license the use of patented technologies. It is an excellent example of co-operation.’

Established in 2001, the WSC aims to:

• Strengthen and advance consensus-based, international standards through specific policies and co-operation

• Promote and increase the visibility of that standardisation worldwide

• Resolve any co-operation issue in the technical work of the three organisations, if this has not been resolved at lower levels

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