IEC, ISO and ITU agree on common patent policy

The IEC, along with ISO and the ITU, has adopted a harmonized approach to address the inclusion of patented technology in standards. This aligns their policies so as to allow for commercial entities to contribute the fruits of their research and development activity safe in the knowledge that their intellectual property rights are respected.

In the commercial world, especially in information and communication technologies, there is often significant investment in R&D activity. A solid patent policy provides crucial investment protection while also opening up intellectual property resources for broad implementation across the industry.

For companies, this means there is now a common policy in all three top standards organizations and that they don't have to apply different rules in each, as many big companies are active in more than one standards organization.

Commenting on the approach, Aharon Amit, IEC General Secretary: "International standards developed by ISO, ITU and IEC provide a practical solution to many of the challenges faced by business in today's increasingly global markets. 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 Cooperation partners has led to the development of this policy which will ultimately benefit end-users and industry."

The policy adopted by the three organizations strongly encourages the disclosure of patented technology which is necessary for the implementation of a standard before the standardization process has been completed.

It allows for companies' innovative technologies to be included in standards as long as such intellectual property is made available under reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions.

In addition, IEC, ISO and ITU have jointly adopted Guidelines for the Implementation of the Common Patent Policy and a Patent Statement and License Declaration Form.

Each of the three WSC organizations also has an online patent database to facilitate the work of the standards developers and to assist companies wishing to implement international standards/recommendations that include patented technologies.