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OIN Announces Broad Expansion of Linux System Definition and Community ProtectionsDURHAM, NC, Mar 06, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Open Invention Network (OIN) announced that it has significantly expanded and updated the Linux System technologies covered by its protective network of royalty-free cross-licenses among hundreds of OIN licensees. Over 700 new software packages -- including popular packages such as KVM, Git, OpenJDK, and WebKit -- will now receive coverage. In addition, coverage for over 1,000 existing software packages has been updated. This will have the positive effect of broadening the scope of coverage of the patent cross-licenses and releases from claims of patent infringement between and among the OIN community members. The improved coverage of the OIN license will help to encourage ongoing collaboration and investment from Linux developers, distributors, sellers, resellers and end-users. "This expansion in the coverage of the OIN license furthers OIN's mission to enable and protect Linux," said Keith Bergelt, CEO of Open Invention Network. "This update is an exciting day for OIN and Linux, and is driven by the dynamic growth of open source software. We are pleased to offer enhanced value to OIN's licensees, which we believe will be beneficial to the open source community as a whole." Patents owned by Open Invention Network are available royalty-free to any company, institution or individual that agrees not to assert its patents against the "Linux System," as defined at http://www.openinventionnetwork.com/pat_linuxdef.php. With its license, OIN is disseminating protections, including patent cross-licenses and releases from claims of patent infringement among its licensees, which in turn encourages collaboration. The Open Invention Network license can be found at http://www.openinventionnetwork.com/pat_license_agreement.php. About Open Invention Network Open Invention Network is a collaborative enterprise that enables innovation in open source and an increasingly vibrant ecosystem around Linux. It does this by acquiring and licensing patents royalty-free, influencing behaviors and policy and protecting the integrity of the ecosystem through strategic programs such as Linux Defenders. OIN enables the growth and continuation of open source software by fostering a healthy Linux ecosystem of investors, vendors, developers and users. Open Invention Network has strong industry and community backing and was launched in 2005 by IBM, NEC, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony. For more information, visit www.openinventionnetwork.com. Open Invention Network, the Open Invention Network logo, Linux Defenders, Linux Defenders 911 and the Linux Defenders 911 logo are registered trademarks or the property of Open Invention Network, LLC. All other names and brand marks are the property of their respective holders. SOURCE: Open Invention Network |