Blue patents: expanding the scope of industrial property to foster the blue economy in Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47456/bjpe.v11i4.50161

Keywords:

Patents, Blue Economy, Aquatic Technologies, Sustainable innovation

Abstract

Sustainable innovation depends on the ability to identify and organize strategic technologies, with green patents playing a fundamental role in this process. However, the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) does not explicitly address aquatic technologies, leaving these innovations classified under general green technologies. This study proposes the creation of a “Blue Patents” category to classify technologies related to the Blue Economy in Brazil. The research employed an exploratory, cross-sectional, mixed-methods design based on documentary analysis. After screening, 237 patent applications related to the Blue Economy, filed between 1984 and 2024 with Brazil as the priority country, were selected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed consistent growth in patent filings over the years and revealed gaps in patent classification. While green technologies focus on terrestrial and atmospheric solutions, blue technologies address specific challenges in aquatic environments. Thus, the “Blue Patents” category could increase the visibility of these technologies, guide investment, and facilitate their dissemination to society. This study contributes to improving the Brazilian system, further aligning it with international sustainability standards.

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Author Biographies

  • José Wendel dos Santos, Universidade Federal de Sergipe

    Master's degree in Intellectual Property Science and Bachelor's degree in Production Engineering from the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS). Technician in Occupational Safety from the Federal Institute of Sergipe (IFS). Currently a doctoral candidate in Intellectual Property Science at UFS. Has worked on research projects linked to the Institutional Program for Scientific Initiation (PIBIC) and the Program for Initiation in Technological Development and Innovation (PIBITI), both at UFS. Received scholarships from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the Foundation for Support of Research and Technological Innovation of the State of Sergipe (FAPITEC/SE). Was a member of the Production Engineering Research Group (GPEP/UFS). Has national and international publications, with award-winning works at scientific events. Acts as a reviewer for journals and organizer of academic events. Has experience in the field of Production Engineering, with an emphasis on occupational biomechanics, health and safety at work. Conducts research in the area of ​​Intellectual Property, focusing on patent data mining and modeling technological trends in emerging markets.

  • Leonôra Virginia de Jesus Dias, Universidade Federal de Sergipe

    PhD candidate and Master's degree holder in Intellectual Property Science (UFS), graduated in Accounting Sciences (UFS) and MBA in Finance and Controllership (USP). She works in the areas of intellectual property, intangible assets, and digital innovation, with research focusing on trademark protection, software, and the use of artificial intelligence in patents. She has experience in finance, controllership, and university extension, as well as scientific publications and academic awards. She also provides financial, management, and legal calculation consulting, combining professional practice and scientific production.

  • Cristiane Monteiro de Farias Rezende, Universidade Federal de Sergipe

    She holds a degree in Forestry Engineering from the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS/DCF). She has a Master's degree in Intellectual Property Science from the Federal University of Sergipe (PPGPI/UFS). She is currently a doctoral candidate in Intellectual Property Science at the Federal University of Sergipe (PPGPI/UFS), a member of the Agroforestry Research Group (GRAF), a volunteer professor in the Department of Forest Sciences at the Federal University of Sergipe (DCF/UFS), and a reviewer for the scientific journal Agroforestalis News. Her research areas include Nature Conservation, Silviculture, Forest Management, Agroforestry, Social Innovations, and geoprocessing using drones.

  • José Barreto Netto, Instituto Federal de Sergipe

    Master's degree in Intellectual Property Science from the Federal University of Sergipe (2023), Specialist in Procedural Law from PUC Minas (2021), Bachelor's degree in Law from Estácio de Sergipe Faculty (2017). Currently pursuing a PhD in Intellectual Property Science at the Federal University of Sergipe.

  • Clara Angélica dos Santos, Universidade Federal de Sergipe

    PhD candidate in Intellectual Property Science (2023), Master's degree in Intellectual Property Science from the Federal University of Sergipe (2021). I hold an MBA in Strategic Management from Faculdade Estácio de Sergipe - FaSe (2014), and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resources (2011). I worked as a temporary on-site mediator for the MedioTec program in the Technical Course in Business Administration (Distance Learning) at the Federal Institute of Sergipe - IFS (2018). I have experience in Human Resources and Personnel Department routines with an emphasis on talent acquisition, job and salary development, training, payroll, termination processes, change management, and participatory management. I also have experience in research on socioeconomic conditions and domestic and family violence against women. I worked as a tutor for the Public Administration course at Cesad (Center for Higher Distance Education) at the Federal University of Sergipe - UFS (2021). She worked as a volunteer professor in the Business Administration course at the Federal University of Sergipe - UFS (2022 - 2023). Currently, she is a professor in the technical course in administration at the National Service for Commercial Learning - SENAC/SE, and serves as a member of the Research Ethics Committee at the Federal University of Sergipe.

  • Marcelo De Paula, Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia

    He is an Associate Professor III at the Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB), based at the Center for Exact Sciences and Technologies (CCET). He holds a PhD and Master's degree in Statistics from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), a Specialization in Mathematics and Statistics from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), a Specialization in Philosophy, History of Religions and Special Topics in Mathematics from the North-South Faculty of Education (FANS), and a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the ETEP-SP University Center. He has been a full member of the Master's Program in Mathematics - PROFMAT/UFOB since 2018, a full member of the Research Ethics Committee with human beings (CEP), President of the Permanent Commission for the Analysis of Student Income, and President of the Commission for the analysis of complaints of irregularities in income-based quotas. In the field of teaching and research, his areas of expertise include classical and Bayesian inferences, traditional regression models, generalized linear models, probabilistic sampling techniques, and population size estimation techniques. In the field of administrative management, he participated in the conception and construction of indices and indicators applied to University Management.

  • Cristiane Toniolo Dias, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

    Associate Professor IV at the Federal Technological University of Paraná, she works in the Department of Mathematics at this institution and also in the Postgraduate Program in Intellectual Property Science at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), where she also taught undergraduate courses between 2012 and 2024. She holds a PhD from the Postgraduate Program in Intellectual Property Science. She has a degree in Mathematics from the State University of Ponta Grossa (2002) and a master's degree in Computational Modeling from the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (2005). She has experience in the area of ​​Applied Mathematics, working in the areas of Intellectual Property, Applied Statistics, Insurance Pricing, Technological Prospecting, and Technology Transfer.

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Image of a glowing light bulb submerged in turquoise blue ocean water, symbolizing innovation and sustainability within the Blue Economy. Inside the bulb, the filament forms a bright brain shape, representing intelligence and creativity applied to science and technology. Digital circuit patterns overlay the underwater scene, illustrating the connection between technology and the environment.

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Published

2025-11-05

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 4 (2025): Regular Issue (October - December) *Continuous Publication of Articles

Section

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABILITY

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Copyright (c) 2025 Santos, J. W. dos, Dias, L. V. de J., Rezende, C. M. de F., Barreto Netto, J., Santos, C. A. dos, De Paula, M., & Dias, C. T.

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How to Cite

Santos, J. W. dos, Dias, L. V. de J., Rezende, C. M. de F., Barreto Netto, J., Santos, C. A. dos, De Paula, M., & Dias, C. T. (2025). Blue patents: expanding the scope of industrial property to foster the blue economy in Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering, 11(4), 154-166. https://doi.org/10.47456/bjpe.v11i4.50161

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