GreenXchange Making Green Product Design A Team Effort

Question: What happens to a brilliant green design idea that is developed solely by one company?

Answer: After extensive research and development, it either comes to fruition or it ends up being shelved.

But what if that idea could thrive in other industries -- is it shared or kept under wraps? Hmmmm, that's a good question indeed.

Creative Commons, Nike and Best Buy have jumped on board the GreenXchange bandwagon with the express purpose of sharing research, innovation and design with each other...and even with the public via patents.

Each GreenXchange member commits to a non-assertion pledge, which allows the patent to be used in other research on green product designs.

The beauty of GreenXchange is that participants encourage eco-friendly design innovations to be shared across a variety of industries, recognizing that they can be applied in different ways that will not infringe on their own profitability.

On the off chance that a company is concerned about sharing product design with competitors, they can opt to designate selected patents to be made available for sustainability uses.

GreenXchange also aspires to use technologies that support networking and knowledge sharing to promote open innovation in the 'digital commons'.

This is a huge deal because if these collaborations are amiable, they could seriously enhance and accelerate the development of green innovation, moving us forward into a phenomenally greener consumer culture.

All in favor of GreenXchange, say 'AYE!!'