Home - Open Invention Network

Recently Joined the OIN Community

About OIN

OIN is a defensive patent pool and community of patent non-aggression which enables freedom of action in Linux. Learn about OIN’s mission, team, supporters, and more.

OIN Community

Over 2,000 organizations have joined OIN. In support of patent non-aggression. For free access to OIN’s patents. And to gain royalty free access to Linux System patents of other OIN participants.

Our License Agreement

Available to all parties, a completed OIN license agreement provides entry to the OIN community and its benefits. Review the agreement, learn more, and sign up online.

OIN Linux System

The Linux System is the set of technologies in which OIN participants agree to cross-license patents to another. A shared zone of patent non-aggression to promote collaboration.

Press Room

OIN enables freedom of action in open source and Linux, which have been great sources of innovation. Find press releases, coverage, FAQs, resources and more here.

Community Initiatives

OIN supports complementary community initiatives that are good for our community and open source software.

Press Mentions

June 25, 2019
Disrupting classic licensing models

June 19, 2019
Open Invention Network, the Linux-based patent non-aggression community, exceeds 3,000 licensees

Read More >>

What people are saying…

Open source technology, especially Linux, drives innovation in areas that are critical to the customers that we serve, including technologies such as servers, storage, cloud, converged applications, big data and IoT. By joining Open Invention Network, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to open source technology, and supporting it with patent non-aggression in Linux.

Norihiro SuzukiVice President and Executive Officer, CTO

As the largest patent non-aggression community in history and a strategic partner for the Linux Foundation, OIN was key in the open source community successfully navigating the patent aggression of the last decade. We encourage the members of Linux Foundation projects, from Automotive Grade Linux to Hyperledger to The LF Networking Fund, that are leveraging the collaborative technology development model of open source, to join the OIN community as an important step for them as it relates to IP …

Jim Zemlin, Linux Foundation

The last thing we want in the DLT [Distributed Ledger Technology] ecosystem is as replay of the smart phone ‘patent wars’. Patent disputes are the ‘sport of kings’; it is expensive and to be avoided.

Marc KaufmanReedSmith

UnionPay focuses on Fintech innovation and is committed to building an open platform that provides integrated payment services with global influence. Under the frame of legal and regulatory compliance, we are pleased to provide service and conduct active cooperation. We look forward to working with OIN and community members to protect our global business and the open source projects that encourage innovation.

UnionPay Intellectual Property Manager

The Electric Vehicle Charging Industry is booming and has benefited greatly from the freedom to use open source software such as Linux in our systems. The Open Charge Alliance stands for open collaboration, open standards and is a strong supporter of OIN. We can’t have patent aggression slowing down innovation and market growth in this exciting new industry.

Lonneke DriessenDirector, Open Charge Alliance

We applaud OIN’s efforts to promote patent non-aggression in the cloud by adding the OpenStack packages to its Linux System definition. The OpenStack Foundation Board of Directors appreciates that the rapidly-growing OIN community has been, and is now explicitly, supporting freedom of action in the cloud of the future that OpenStack has been formed to enable.

Alan Clark, OpenStack Foundation

Linux and open source are driving innovation in cloud and mobile computing, and emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things. These are developments that are very close to our hearts at Sage. We applaud the Open Invention Network’s efforts to promote openness and innovation for the benefit of the technical community and our wider society and would encourage our partners to support their work.

Klaus-Michael VogelbergCTO, Sage

Hyundai Kia Motors are both committed to offering the highest-quality, intelligent vehicle platforms that leverage Linux and open source technologies. By joining the Open Invention Network, we will use the opportunity to further develop its infotainment platform. Moreover, we will help to ensure the ongoing development of open solutions that stimulate growth in the automotive industry.

Eon Youl ShinHyundai Motor Company

Tencent is committed to offering high-quality Internet-based services from social, games and digital content to mobile payment, cloud services, Internet financial services and smart retail solutions, among many others. Linux and open source are critical elements in the technologies that we are developing to provide these services. By joining the Open Invention Network, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to innovation, and supporting it with patent non-aggression in Linux.

Xu YanTencent Holdings Limited

We are excited to join OIN. Since its inception in 2005, OIN has been at the forefront of helping companies reduce patent infringement risks relating to Linux. It does so by creating a voluntary system of patent cross-licenses between member companies covering Linux System technologies. We look forward to working with OIN and its members to protect the Linux ecosystem and also encourage innovation in the open source software community.

Benjamin BaiAnt Financial

Recently Joined the OIN Community

About OIN

OIN Community

Our License Agreement

OIN Linux System

Press Room

Community Initiatives

Press Mentions

What people are saying…