Open Invention Network (OIN), a a collaborative enterprise that enables innovation in open-source around the Linux operating system, has announced that it has seen a remarkable increase in the size of its community of licensees during 2011. During 2011, OIN’s community grew to over 400 corporate licensees, a more than 60 percent year-over-year increase.

The group, which promotes a positive, “fertile” ecosystem for Linux, helps drives innovation and choice in the global marketplace. This helps ensure the continuation of innovation that has benefited software vendors, customers, emerging markets and investors.

Increasingly, licensees are seizing the opportunity to benefit from the value of the growing OIN community and the freedom of action enabled by OIN's royalty free licensing program, says the organization in a press release. OIN is comprised of both founding members and associates who benefit from the leverage provided by a patent portfolio dedicated to the protection of Linux and access to enabling technologies through OIN and shared intellectual property resources.

“2011 was a noteworthy year for OIN’s licensing effort as royalty free access to our patent portfolio, and of the collaborative behavior encouraged by our licensing program, came into brighter focus for a broader constituency, including Linux end-users,” said Keith Bergelt, CEO of Open Invention Network. “In 2012, we remain committed to building upon the success of 2011, and will look to leverage our relationships with associate members, licensees, and the open source community in general to drive continued growth.”

OIN is participating in TMC's (News - Alert) SUITS (Synopsis Under IP/Patents Telecom Sourcing Conference), an event collocated with ITEXPO (News - Alert) East 2012, which is taking place this week in Miami, Florida. The session, called “Part 1: Corporate and Enterprise Effects of Patents” will be presented by Bergelt and will examine the models and strategies for both sides of the confrontation table.

Bergelt is also speaking during “Who is at Risk, Cause and Effect, Wait Till You Are Sued” and “Part 2- Successful Business Models for Licensing Rights of the Patent Holder / Developer.” For more information on ITEXPO registration, click here.

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