Open Invention Network Formed to Promote Linux and Spur Innovation Globally.
This week was revealed in this press announcement that with financial support from IBM, Novell, Philips, Red Hat, and Sony Open Invention Network (OIN) was
formed, a a company that has and will acquire patents and offer them
royalty-free to promote Linux and spur innovation globally.
“A new model of intellectual property management for Linux must
be established to maintain advances in software innovation – regardless
of the size or type of business or organization,” said Jerry Rosenthal,
chief executive officer at Open Invention Network. The company will
foster an open, collaborative environment that stimulates advances in
Linux – helping ensure the continuation of global innovation that has
benefited software vendors, customers, emerging markets and investors,
among others.
Open Invention Network believes that creating a new system to
manage and ensure access to key patents for the Linux operating system
will have a significant economic impact. According to International
Data Corporation, the worldwide Linux business is expected to grow 25.9
percent annually, doubling from $20 billion in 2005 to more than $40
billion in 2008.”