IBM and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) have partnered with Nokia, Pitney Bowes and Sony to establish an Eco-Patent Common, releasing “environmentally-responsible” patents to the public in an effort to help the environment. The Eco-Patent Common gives businesses, researchers and entrepreneurs the opportunity to take leadership and share their innovations by making pledges to establish patents such as to conserve energy, use environmentally preferable materials or reduce hazardous waste during the manufacturing process.