Groklaw: OIN Gets More Patents to Protect Linux Environment

"Open Invention Network (OIN), the company formed by IBM, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony, unveiled today some of the new patents it has acquired in order to protect the Linux environment. The new e-commerce and Internet-related software patents will be offered royalty-free, along with OIN's existing intellectual property portfolio, to its licensees.

"Open Invention Network promotes a positive, fertile ecosystem for Linux, which in turn drives innovation and choice in the global marketplace. This helps ensure the continuation of innovation that has benefited software vendors, customers, emerging markets and investors..."

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