Social Rebooting Technology Initiative

As the first project of its Social Rebooting Technology Initiative, Tokyo Tech has launched the Hope This Helps (HTH) Project. The aim of this project is to support recovery from the damage caused by COVID-19 and contribute to the revitalization of society by granting access to patents royalty-free for a set period of time. With the current state of emergency putting a halt to research, we are seeking other ways to help society. This is our first step in that effort.

Having been created prior to the pandemic, the patents listed here were not developed specifically as COVID-19 countermeasures. But for those who can use the patents, we hope that they will offer possible solutions to the current crisis through commercialization and open innovation.

The impact of COVID-19 is not limited to physical and emotional damage, but extends to a wide range of industries and economies. When applying to use one of our patents, please explain how its use will relate to COVID-19 and rebooting society. Even if your proposed use is only partially helpful to counteracting the damage, we would consider it a contribution to rebooting society. With the effects of COVID-19 expected to be prolonged, proposed uses during the process of recovery or immediately after recovery would also be considered contributions to rebooting society. We hope that you will find this small effort of ours useful. Furthermore, should you require cooperation from our researchers in utilizing a patent, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Through the Social Rebooting Technology Initiative, more projects are underway in response to the damage caused by COVID-19. We hope that you will join us in contributing to society’s recovery through innovation. Thank you very much for your support and cooperation.

Yoichi Oshima
HTH Project Task Force Leader
May 1, 2020

The patents in the following list are available for royalty-free use until December 31, 2022.

If you would like to apply to use any of the patents listed, please contact the HTH Project Task Force at the email address below by February 28, 2021.