Microsoft and Open Invention Network join hands to bring 6000 patents to open network

Microsoft announced that it joined hands with Open Invention Network (“OIN”) which is a community dedicated to protecting Linux and other open source software programs from patent risk. With this association, Microsoft believes that it will be able to do more than ever to help protect Linux and other important open source workloads from patent assertions. Microsoft says that collaborative development through the open source process can accelerate innovation. Both the companies will demonstrate a commitment to open source software (OSS) and innovation through collaborative development. With more than 2,650 members, including numerous Fortune 500 enterprises, OIN is the largest patent non-aggression community and represents a core set of community values related to open source licensing, which has become the norm. 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. Erich Andersen Corporate Vice President, Deputy General Counsel said: Joining OIN reflects Microsoft’s patent practice evolving in lock-step with the company’s views on Linux and open source more generally. We began this journey over two years ago through programs ...