Open Invention Network Community Surpasses 1000th Licensee Milestone
Technology industry’s largest patent non-aggression community continues remarkable growth
Durham, NC (September 23, 2014) – Open Invention Network (OIN) today announced that the OIN community of licensees has expanded to over 1000 organizations. While other defensive patent management entities have been formed to protect small groups of companies, OIN is distinguished as a resource available to all of the technology industry. There is no charge to join OIN, and participation provides important benefits while promoting a positive environment for Linux and open source software. As such, the OIN licensee community has grown to be the largest patent non-aggression community in the history of technology.
“OIN’s continual growth has been driven by heightened recognition of the importance of open source as a modality for innovation and a broad-based acceptance of patent non-aggression as a cultural norm in the Linux community. The resultant values of collaboration and sharing toward the larger goal of enhanced levels of innovation has become pervasive and with it has emerged a mutual expectation of freedom from patent aggression within the scope of the Linux System”, said Keith Bergelt, CEO. “In expanding its network of licensees and the strength of its community, OIN has appealed to small and large companies alike and been global in its outreach through initiatives such as the Asian Legal Network, other similar regional programs, and the engagement of a worldwide network of individuals capable of effectively communicating the value of a OIN license and participation in the global OIN community.”
The 1,000+ organizations that have joined the OIN community have done so by signing the OIN license. Community members cross license Linux System patents to one another on a royalty-free basis. Patents owned by Open Invention Network are similarly licensed royalty-free to any organization that agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux System. The OIN license can be reviewed and signed online at http://www.openinventionnetwork.com/joining-oin/license-agreement/.
About Open Invention Network
Open Invention Network (OIN) is the largest patent non-aggression community in history and supports freedom of action in Linux as a key element of open source software. Funded by Google, IBM, NEC, Philips, Red Hat, Sony and SUSE, OIN has 1,000+ OIN community members and owns 900+ global patents and applications. Member cross-licenses and OIN patent licenses are available royalty free to any party that joins the OIN community.
For more information, visit http://www.openinventionnetwork.com.
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Media-Only Contact:
Ed Schauweker
Agile Public Relations for Open Invention Network
[email protected]
(703) 963-5238