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It’s been a long wait but finally, IT giant Microsoft has decided to join the Open Invention Network (OIN).
The Network announced today that by joining OIN, Microsoft was “demonstrating its commitment to open source software (OSS) & innovation through collaborative development.” With more than 2,650 members, including numerous Fortune 500 enterprises, OIN is the largest patent non-aggression community in history & represents a core set of community values related to open source licensing, which has become the norm.
“Open source development continues to expand into new products and markets to create unrivaled levels of innovation. Through its participation in OIN, Microsoft is explicitly acknowledging the importance of open source software to its future growth,” said Keith Bergelt, CEO of Open Invention Network.
“Microsoft’s participation in OIN adds to our strong community, which through its breadth and depth has reduced patent risk in core technologies, and unequivocally signals for all companies who are using OSS but have yet to join OIN that the litmus test for authentic behavior in the OSS community includes OIN participation.”
“Microsoft sees open source as a key innovation engine, and for the past several years we have increased our involvement in, and contributions to, the open source community,” said Erich Andersen, Corporate Vice President and Chief IP Counsel, Microsoft. “We believe the protection OIN offers the open source community helps increase global contributions to and adoption of open source technologies. We are honored to stand with OIN as an active participant in its program to protect against patent aggression in core Linux and other important OSS technologies.”
OIN’s community practices patent non-aggression in core open source technologies by cross-licensing Linux System patents to one another on a royalty-free basis. Patents owned by Open Invention Network are similarly licensed royalty-free to any organization that agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux System. The OIN license can be signed online at http://www.j-oin.net/.
About Open Invention Network
Open Invention Network (OIN) is the largest patent non-aggression community in history & supports freedom of action in Linux as a key element of open source software. Funded by Google, IBM, NEC, Philips, Red Hat, Sony, SUSE, & Toyota, OIN has more than 2,650 community members & owns more than 1,300 global patents and applications.
