NSK pledges open IP access for COVID-19 activities

NSK, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of bearings, linear motion technologies and steering systems, has signed up to the new ‘Open COVID-19 Declaration’, signalling its commitment to a global effort that is seeking a swift end to the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Through this unprecedented declaration, NSK is pledging to make its intellectual property (IP) freely available for development, manufacturing and other activities central to stopping transmission of the virus.

Preventing the advance of COVID-19 requires the rapid development, production and distribution of therapeutic drugs, vaccines, medical devices and infection prevention products. The Open COVID-19 Declaration calls on IP owners to make their patents, utility models, design patents and copyrights freely available in the fight against the pandemic. Bringing the fastest possible end to the virus calls for a new kind of co-operation between industry, government and academia, one that breaks the mould of traditional models.

NSK fully supports this strategy and has signed the declaration without any restriction on terms, agreeing to not assert IP rights against any ventures aiming to combat COVID-19, including prevention, containment and treatment. The company will not seek any form of compensation for the use of its IP in such activities.

Under normal circumstances, the use of IP involves a negotiation and licensing process, but this is nullified under the declaration, thereby accelerating the development and manufacture of countermeasures for COVID-19. The official wording of the Open COVID-19 Declaration signed by NSK can be found at www.gckyoto.com/covid-2.

Moving forward, NSK will continue working with the declaration group and other companies to help bring an abrupt end to the COVID-19 outbreak. This action is part of the company’s tireless efforts to support the healthy and sustainable development of society and communities around the world.
NSK is among those pledging open access to its IP for those combatting COVID-19

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