Open Invention Network (OIN) is the only institution focused on mitigating patent risk in Open Source Software (OSS).
OIN maintains the world’s largest and oldest patent cross-license.
By safeguarding against patent threats, OIN has encouraged the adoption of OSS, the most significant driver of innovation in the 21st Century.
OIN has nearly 4,000 members across the global economy. The OIN patent license and member cross-licenses are available royalty-free to any party that joins the OIN community.
Vision
We will execute our mission by growing our community membership and engaging with companies of all types — from start-ups to Fortune 100 enterprises — across diverse industries.
We will continue to grow our worldwide membership and the Linux System over time.
We will continue updating the Linux System through a conservative, consensus-driven process to keep up with technological advances.
We will actively monitor for patent-related threats to Linux and adjacent Open Source technologies and encourage open source community Intellectual Property (IP)-related initiatives.
We will continue to promote and educate our community on complementary defensive IP strategies and support key Open Source initiatives.
What We Do
Deliver royalty-free access to the Linux System patents of our community members through cross-licensing commitments.
Leverage our relationships to collect and share prior art when needed.
Challenge patent applications as appropriate.
Provide collective intelligence from a global community.
Support our members and those under attack from patent aggressors.
Key Linux System Applications
Apache
Eclipse
Evolution
Fedora Directory Server
Firefox
GIMP
GNOME
KDE
Mono
Mozilla
MySQL
Nautilus
.Net
OpenLDAP
OpenOffice.org
Open-Xchange
Perl
PostgreSQL
Python
Samba
SELinux
Sendmail
Thunderbird
By the Numbers
3 million+
patents and applications
Our community owns 3 million+ patents & applications in total.
$100 million
in defensive patents
Acquired in support of the OIN and open source communities
4,500+
packages
Core Linux and Open Source Software packages in the Linux System
Member Benefits
Membership publicly demonstrates Open Source & patent non-aggression advocacy
Lifetime Membership is FREE without entry barrier
Everyone signs the same agreement terms
Get INSIDER, OIN’s bi-monthly eNewsletter, to stay in-the-know
Patent cross-license in 4,500+ Linux and core Open Source technology packages
Patent peace in a community which owns 3 million+ patents & applications in total
You get the opportunity to network with our rapidly-growing community members
Members become part of a global, Open Source network of 4,000 from start-ups to Fortunate 100 firms
Membership is available to ALL Open Source advocates — business & individuals
Holding patents in the Linux System is not required
OIN leverages our industry relationships to collect & share prior art as needed
OIN challenges patent applications as appropriate