The company with the most patents in Brazil, Petrobras announced that it will transfer technology to the state-owned supplier market. There are 214 industrial secrets developed by the company that can be used, improved and commercially exploited by other companies. The state-owned company hopes to obtain two benefits from the transfer of technical knowledge, one of which is the technological leap forward from suppliers, who will be able to offer Petrobras’ businesses more advanced and effective services. The second is the financial return, since the companies that carry out the commercial exploitation of the patents will have to pay royalties (a fee charged in exchange for the use of an asset) to Petrobras. The company estimates that royalties could generate R$ 10 million per year, if all patents are explored. For the state-owned company, patent licensing is a bet on the potential of innovation to generate a positive impact in the country. “We want, in a collaborative way, to boost innovation not only for Petrobras, but also in the entire energy sector”, said Petrobras’ director of Engineering, Technology and Innovation, Carlos Travassos, on the company’s website. Areas of expertise The state-of-the-art technologies that will be shared cover areas such as exploration of fuel sources, production, refining and sustainability. Among the exposed patents, there are, for example, carbon dioxide capture systems for vehicle application, which can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for global warming. The expertise that can be used by suppliers was born at the Petrobras Research and Innovation Center (Cenpes), in Rio de Janeiro. “Our expectation is that the measure will contribute to the implementation of these technologies and that they will be applicable in relevant areas for the company and for the industry”, said the executive manager of Cenpes, Maíza Goulart. Accession The use of the 214 patents is valid for one year. Technical information is registered with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), the government agency responsible for depositing and granting patents in the country. Companies that adhere to the licensing agreement will have access to protected technology to develop products and services. In case of commercial use, they will pay a percentage to Petrobras – which varies according to the technology (from 1% to 10%). “This is a license, not a transfer of technology. In the transfer, Petrobras would lose the patent rights, but in the licensing, the company maintains ownership, allowing a third party to use it”, explained Maíza. If more than one company is interested in the same patent, both can have access to the data. will pay royalties if it “makes money” using the patent. If the licensed company improves the technology, it is guaranteed ownership of the development. In this case, Petrobras reserves the right to obtain a license to use the improvements. Champion of patents Petrobras is the champion in Brazil in number of active patents, with 1,100 registrations in the country, and plans to invest US$ 2.1 billion (about R$ 10 billion) in digital transformation and innovation by 2027. was featured in the 2022 ANP Innovation Award, from the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency. The company won first place in four of the five disputed categories. According to the INPI’s Monthly Industrial Property Bulletin, released in June, from January to May 2023, Brazil received 9,803 applications for invention patents. Most are individuals (38%), followed by medium and large companies (25%); teaching and research institutions and government (24%); and individual micro-entrepreneur, micro and small companies (12%).
Agência Brasil
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