Linux Defenders Rail Against Dubious Patents
The Open Invention Network (OIN) organization has instituted the Linux Defenders program with the goal to improve the overall quality of patents and shield against patent trolls.
Open Invention Network promotes innovative software technologies in the open source arena and has been supported by firms such as Red Hat, IBM, Novell and Sony. With its new Linux Defenders project, the organization wants to gather technology innovations to build new tools to ensure that only high quality patents are issued. OIN is financially supported by its Software Freedom Law center (SFLC) and Linux Foundation cosponsors. Chairman of the SFLC Eben Moglen explains: "A large number of poor quality patents have the potential to stifle innovation." The Software Foundation's executive director Jim Zemlin also sees the initiative as a substantial enrichment to the open source community and hopes it gives developers more confidence in their code. As he says, "The open source community is getting an IP rights tool that will limit distractions created from organizations that like to play the FUD game."
The program is directed to any organizations or individuals dealing with patents, including those developing technology, patent lawyers and trademark and patent office examiners. One way to reduce meritless patents is by soliciting prior art to enable screening of applications. Keith Bergelt, CEO of the program, is convinced that Open Source will benefit from fewer lower quality patents "that might otherwise be used by patent trolls or strategics whose behaviors and business models are antithetical to true innovation and are thus threatened by Linux."
The OIN has more information at their website, linuxdefenders.org, and encourages contributions from software developers and those involved with trademarks and patents.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Kernel Reducing Long-Term Support
LTS support for the Linux kernel is about to undergo some serious changes that will have a considerable impact on the future.
-
Fedora 39 Beta is Now Available for Testing
For fans and users of Fedora Linux, the first beta of release 39 is now available, which is a minor upgrade but does include GNOME 45.
-
Fedora Linux 40 to Drop X11 for KDE Plasma
When Fedora 40 arrives in 2024, there will be a few big changes coming, especially for the KDE Plasma option.
-
Real-Time Ubuntu Available in AWS Marketplace
Anyone looking for a Linux distribution for real-time processing could do a whole lot worse than Real-Time Ubuntu.
-
KSMBD Finally Reaches a Stable State
For those who've been looking forward to the first release of KSMBD, after two years it's no longer considered experimental.
-
Nitrux 3.0.0 Has Been Released
The latest version of Nitrux brings plenty of innovation and fresh apps to the table.
-
Linux From Scratch 12.0 Now Available
If you're looking to roll your own Linux distribution, the latest version of Linux From Scratch is now available with plenty of updates.
-
Linux Kernel 6.5 Has Been Released
The newest Linux kernel, version 6.5, now includes initial support for two very exciting features.
-
UbuntuDDE 23.04 Now Available
A new version of the UbuntuDDE remix has finally arrived with all the updates from the Deepin desktop and everything that comes with the Ubuntu 23.04 base.
-
Star Labs Reveals a New Surface-Like Linux Tablet
If you've ever wanted a tablet that rivals the MS Surface, you're in luck as Star Labs has created such a device.