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

September 26, 2019
Leave GNOME alone: This patent troll is asking for trouble

August 29, 2019
The Open Invention Network: An Intellectual Property Company Using Patents to Encourage Open-Source Development and Innovation

Read More >>

What people are saying…

Open source technology, especially Linux, has led to profound increases in capabilities across a number of key industries, while increasing overall product and service efficiency. By joining Open Invention Network, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to innovation, and supporting it with patent non-aggression in Linux.

Hideki SanatakeExecutive Officer, Deputy Group Executive of Corporate Intellectual Properties & Legal, Canon

Linux is an integral part of the advanced system-on-chip (SoC) development process and is used as the development platform as well as a target operating system for many systems that our customers design. Preserving the openness of Linux is critical to the continued advancement of next-generation SoCs in both embedded applications and consumer devices.

Jim Ready, Cadence

Openness and sharing are the sources of innovation. Alibaba is excited to join Open Invention Network and share our cutting edge innovations with industry leaders.

Jiangwei JiangAlibaba Cloud Computing

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

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

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

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

Linux, and more broadly open source software, is a foundational technology in the desktop, mobile, networking, cloud and embedded computing environments. We are committed to open solutions that promote advances in all of the sectors that depend on advanced x86 and ARM platforms. Joining Open Invention Network is another way we are demonstrating our commitment to open innovation and collaboration.

Richard Brown, VIA Technologies

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

As a licensee, we’ll have access to OIN resources in case we’re threatened by operating entities with patents.

Harvey AndersonVP & General Counsel, Mozilla

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…