It’s not the typical response to tough economic times. But last fall–as the stock market crashed, corporate profits plunged and the financial system teetered on collapse–Xerox, DuPont and Bosch gave away some valuable assets. And they didn’t even get a tax deduction.

They may, however, be helping to save the world. These three companies joined IBM, Sony, Pitney Bowes and Nokia in donating some of their hard-earned patents to a new non-profit venture: the Eco-Patent Commons (EPC).