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Toyota to Give Away Fuel-Cell Patents to Boost Industry

Jan. 7, 2015
Toyota to Give Away Fuel-Cell Patents to Boost Industry

Toyota will give away thousands of patents for its fuel-cell cars in an effort to encourage other automakers into the new industry.

The world's largest vehicle maker said it will allow royalty-free use of about 5,680 patent licenses, including 1,970 related to fuel-cell stacks and 3,350 concerning fuel-cell system control technology.

The firm also said the free patent licenses will include about 290 items related to high-pressure hydrogen tanks.

The cost-free licenses will be allowed "through the initial market introduction period" of fuel cell vehicles (FCV), which the company expects to last until about 2020.

Read more on fuel-cell patents on IndustryWeek.

IndustryWeek is an NED companion site within Penton's Manufacturing & Supply Chain Group.