Slashdot Mirror


IBM And Sony Form Linux Alliance

An anonymous reader writes "CNN is reporting that IBM, Sony, and Philips are creating a Linux adoption group. Called the 'Open Invention Network', it is intended to protect vendors and customers from patent royalty fees while using OSS." From the article: "Patents owned by OIN will be available without payment of royalties to any company, institution or individual that agrees not to assert its patents against others who have signed a license with OIN, when using certain Linux-related software. Traditionally, patents have been pursued for two primary reasons -- to defend one's own intellectual property or for barter to trade in cross-licensing agreements to gain access to other companies' patents. OIN represents a new form of cross-licensing that its backers say could spur innovation. "

2 of 165 comments (clear)

  1. Re:A matter of trust... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    What recent actions?

    that was NOT Sony - it was Sony BMG, a sub-company based here in the UK.

  2. mod Down by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    TurNed over to yet member. GNAA (GAY