COPYCENSE

“Concern has grown over the past year that Linux could be under legal threat from claims it infringes certain software patents. No court cases have been filed, but the issue is serious enough that several companies have pledged not to use their patent portfolios against the open source operating system.

“An industry consortium devoted to Linux, Open Source Development Lab (OSDL) has decided to coordinate this process. OSDL launched a Web site last week to help developers check which patents have been pledged. Patent Commons contains more than 500 patents so far, but that may not be enough to significantly affect the problem.”

Graeme Wearden. Saving Linux from the Lawyers. News.com. Nov. 21, 2005.

See also:

Jim Wagner. Patent Commons Library Opens Doors. IntenetNews.com. Nov. 15, 2005.

Open Source Development Lab. OSDL Launches Online Patent Commons Reference Library. (Press release.) Nov. 15, 2005.

CopyCense™: K. Matthew Dames on the intersection of business, law and technology. A business venture of Seso Digital LLC.