Mission Focused.  Proven Success.  Open Source Patent Protection.

Open Source Software experienced growth in the 2000s, as major tech firms began recognizing the value & benefits of Open Source. Simultaneously, debates over its viability compared to proprietary software persisted. Advocates championed its ability to match or surpass proprietary solutions. Some doubted its ability to scale or become more than a “hobby.” Opponents viewed it as a direct threat. 

Open Invention Network (OIN) was born  in 2005 at a time of high risk & uncertainty, demanding urgent action to clear Open Source Software patent risks. To encourage adoption and participation, OIN membership was free. To allow a more permanent defense of Open Source as it grows, OIN is changing our business model with OIN 2.0. 

For over 20 years, Open Invention Network (OIN) has remained the world’s largest and only community 100% dedicated to protecting Open Source Software (OSS) from patent risks — including those posed by Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs) — and fostering an environment where innovation can thrive. Backed by $160 million in capital and strategic patents from eight founding members, OIN has built a global community of more than 4,100 organizations that own 3+ million active patents and generate $10+ trillion (USD) in combined revenue.

Members range from startups and developers to global enterprises, united in their commitment to OSS through a patent cross-license protecting over 5,100 core Linux and Open Source technologies.

OIN also founded and funded the Open Source Zone, which has helped invalidate or review dozens of harmful patents since 2019. Today, with 90% of companies worldwide relying on Open Source, OIN continues to safeguard the technologies.

OIN 2.0 — Sustainability. Scalability. Shared Responsibility.

Open Source technologies have grown exponentially beyond Linux, into new and exciting sectors — clearly beyond what was originally envisioned in the early 2000s when OIN was created.

Moving beyond support from a core group of funding members, OIN 2.0 introduces a shared and community-driven funding approach designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of OIN and its mission. OIN 2.0 provides free participation to small businesses and individuals, while medium-sized companies and large enterprises support OIN’s future growth through a Tiered Annual Participation Fee based on their revenue.

Effective January 27, 2026, with Linux System Table 13 and all subsequent coverage expansions, OIN 2.0 provides members the ability to clear patent risk at scale in Open Source as it grows.

By signing the OIN 2.0 License Agreement, every member commits to patent peace — agreeing not to assert patents against others within the Linux System — and gains the full benefit of ongoing and continued protection as new technologies are added.

Core Messaging

The launch of OIN 2.0 is a significant evolution of the institution’s business model after 20 years. Expanding support from a small, core group of funding members, OIN 2.0 introduces a shared and community-driven funding model designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of its mission — shielding the Open Source community from patent threats and enabling Open Source to flourish.

OIN 2.0 continues to provide free participation to small businesses and individuals, while medium-sized companies and large enterprises will support OIN’s future growth through a Tiered Annual Participation Fee business model based on revenue.

CEO Quote

“OIN 2.0 is a continuation of OIN’s long standing commitment to protect Open Source Software (OSS) from patent threats, modified to reflect today’s realities. Open Source technologies have grown exponentially beyond Linux, into new and exciting sectors, and clearly beyond what was originally envisioned in the early 2000s when OIN was created.

OIN 2.0 marks a transition and provides an opportunity for all who benefit from Open Source to contribute to OIN’s ongoing patent protection. OIN 2.0 fees will provide for OIN to update the scope of its patent protection coverage as OSS expands in the future, grow OIN’s network of participants to increase the breadth of its community, monitor patent threats to OSS, and support community members under patent threat in OSS with defensive strategies. The participation fee is structured so that large enterprises contribute more, medium-sized companies pay less, and small organizations remain free.”

For 20 years Open Invention Network’s (OIN) mission has not wavered. OIN has protected Open Source Software (OSS), enabled freedom of action to foster innovation & reduced patent risks, shaping the global Open Source ecosystem. OIN has grown well beyond Linux — the focus for patent protection when it was created in 2005 by 8 full funding companies that contributed $160 million (USD) in capital & strategic patents.

Since 2005, OIN has become the world’s largest and oldest active cross-license that protects 5,100+ core Linux and Open Source technologies through its evolving Linux System definition. It has 4,100+ worldwide members in 157 countries, experiencing a 42% annual growth. 

To build on its accomplishments and ensure OIN can continue updating its patent protection, growing its community & monitoring patent threats to Open Source, it’s launching OIN 2.0.  OIN 2.0 introduces a shared funding model — through a tiered annual participation fee — designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of OIN’s mission as Open Source continues to grow.

OIN 2.0 strengthens Open Source patent defense & protections by providing:

Existing members keep coverage of Tables 0–12 of the Linux System definition but must sign an updated OIN 2.0 License Agreement for Table 13 and all future updates (Table 14, 15, etc.)

By upgrading to OIN 2.0, members: