Organizations with disparate views on the problem of software patents, working with the Linux Defenders to accomplish their mutual goals of protecting Linux from disruptive patents.
SPONSORS
OPEN INVENTION NETWORK
Open Invention NetworkSM is a collaborative enterprise that enables innovation in open source and an increasingly vibrant ecosystem around linux by acquiring and licensing patents, influencing behaviors and policy and defending the integrity of the ecosystem through strategic programs such as Linux Defenders. It enables the growth and continuation of open source software by fostering a healthy Linux ecosystem of investors, vendors, developers and users.
SOFTWARE FREEDOM LAW CENTER
The Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) works to protect Open Source and Free Software, including Linux and the GNU operating system, from encubrance of software patents. Unlike the Linux Defenders, SFLC advocates for the elimination of software patents. SFLC is pleased to work together with the Linux Defenders and its partners on projects that forward the common goal of protecting Open Source and Free Software from patent encumbrance.
THE LINUX FOUNDATION
The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007, the Linux Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading Linux and open source companies and developers from around the world. The Linux Foundation promotes, protects and standardizes Linux by providing unified resources and services needed for open source to successfully compete with closed platforms.
WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO DO?
We encourage contributions from anyone that is interested in ensuring that innovation is not stifled by poor quality patents and is interested in assisting the patent office in its goal of improving the overall quality of patents.
We are trying to produce prior art that invalidates poor quality patents and patent applications and aids in eliminating future patent concerns, using IP rights management tools such as Defensive Publications. The goal is to give the Linux and open source community the leverage to proactively limit the resources that organizations can use against Linux.