August 01, 2017 — The Open Invention Network was set up in 2005 by IBM, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony. As open source software became the driving force for free and collaborative innovation over the past decades, Linux and associated open source applications faced increased litigation attacks from those who benefited from a patent regime. The OIN effectively plays the role of protecting those working in Linux. It is the largest patent non-aggression community—with more than 2,200 corporate participants and financial supporters such as Google, NEC and Toyota.