Open Invention Network (OIN), the largest patent non-aggression community in history, announced it is partnering with IBM, the Linux Foundation and Microsoft to further protect open-source software (OSS) from Patent Assertion Entities (PAEs) leveraging low-quality patents, also called patent trolls. The group will support Unified Patents’ Open Source Zone with a substantial annual subscription. This expands OIN’s and its partners’ patent non-aggression activities by deterring PAEs from targeting Linux and adjacent OSS technologies relied on by developers, distributors, and users.
“Open source development continues to expand into new products and markets, delivering unrivaled innovation,” said Keith Bergelt, CEO of OIN. “Its use continues to spread, and patent trolls increasingly look to leverage questionable patents against open source. Our mandate is to educate business leaders about the benefits of open source and shared innovation while providing a ‘patent no-fly zone’ for Linux and adjacent open source technologies. Teaming with IBM, the Linux Foundation, and Microsoft to support Unified Patents’ Open Source Zone adds another key patent non-aggression initiative to our efforts.”
