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September 8th, 2009

Linux group buys up 22 patents

Posted by Richard Koman @ September 8, 2009 @ 3:29 PM

Categories: Government technology

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The Open Invention Network - an IP company created to protect Linux from patent lawsuits - has purchased 22 patents formerly owned by Microsoft and which appear to impact Linux, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The group purchased the patents from Allied Security Trust - a consortium of companies, including Verizon, HP and Cisco, created to buy up patents in a self-defensive move. AST bought these patents from Microsoft in a private auction. OIN CEO Keith Bergelt says Microsoft presented these patents as Linux-related, although Microsoft declined to confirm this.
The move is designed to protect against the possibility that the patents could be sold off to patent trolls who would use them against open source companies.

We have averted a scenario where these patents can be used for negative purposes.

  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 7 Talkback(s)
Same as many others
Retaliation in the form of infringement suits from the big boys in the patent world (think IBM - how's that for a twist on a slogan?) could cripple or destroy Microsoft's business.

But a troll ... (Read the rest)
Posted by: IT_User Posted on: 09/10/09 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Nothing but good news here. You are now free to innovate.  DonnieBoy | 09/08/09
And where in your paranoid imagination did you come up with that?  Confused by religion | 09/08/09
RE:And where in your paranoid imagination did you come up with that?  richdave | 09/08/09
Same as many others  IT_User | 09/10/09
Paranoid Imagination?  twaynesdomain | 09/09/09
RE: Linux group buys up 22 patents  vinsai | 09/09/09
A try at defining  IT_User | 09/10/09

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