OSADL joins the open invention network ...

By: Carsten Emde

... and is actively supporting it

At the end of 2012, OSADL decided to become a member of the open invention network (oin). Why? There are many good reasons:

1. OSADL is actively using the Linux kernel and contributing to it. This alone is a good reason to join oin, since it helps to ensure that Linux stays free and will not be usurped by any party that gains power on Linux by abusing the patent system. In addition, oin is sponsoring the Linux Defenders, an organization that is very busy to find prior art in questionable patents hold by US patent trolls and let the patent court invalidate them. Click here or on the image to the left, if your company is being victimized by any entity seeking to assert its patent portfolio against Linux. Linux Defenders will then aid you in your battle with these dark forces (as they say).
2. OSADL is convinced that joining oin is an important step towards protection of software investment, and as such OSADL is leading by example and advising its members to also do so. Should OSADL members need legal support for this decision and this support involves general questions of interest for all members, OSADL will cover the expenses. OSADL members may directly contact OSADL's General Counsel Dr. Till Jaeger at JBB Rechtsanwälte, Berlin, Germany.
3. The more than 500 oin members provide a vital network of companies who share the same interests and concerns with respect to the current patent battle against open source software.
4. The oin Web site says: "Open source software development has been one of the greatest sources of innovation. It has reduced costs, improved functionality and spurred new industries. In particular, the Linux community has been able to make tremendous strides in improving the customer experience because developers can take what has been written and build on it – without having to develop the same base of software code building-blocks from scratch." This is exactly – just in other words – what OSADL is all about and what was layed out in the preamble of OSADL's bye-laws. So we obviously found an excellent companion.
5. The patent portfolio of the oin founding members IBM, NEC, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony and of the many other members is impressive. The oin itself also owns a large number of patents – all of this is used to fight for us and ensure our rights are preserved.

Even if only one reason had applied, OSADL would have joined oin. Is it not time for you to follow our example and join oin as well? Click here to directly contact the oin people – or click here, if you would like to join OSADL first.

Meet the Open Invention Network at the 2013 embedded world exhibition

To get in contact with oin becomes even easier: Several oin people will attend the embedded world 2013 in Nuremberg, Germany and have a subexhibitor booth with OSADL (hall 5, booth 341). They will be glad to provide any information you may need to decide whether oin is good for you.