The Open Innovation Network is an organization that licenses its global defensive patent pool in exchange for a pledge of non-aggression. In other words, its members agree to refrain from using their patents portfolio against the Linux System.

For example, in 2009 the OIN bought up a number of Linux-related patents that Microsoft had sold the rights to earlier that year. The OIN then licensed these patents freely to the open source community, preventing patent trolls from putting their grubby hands on them and then (likely) frivolously suing Linux developers.

It’s rather sad to see that patent trolling is so rampant that such an organization had to be created. But here we are, and until patents are fixed, OIN is a no brainer, and we are proud to have joined.

SUSE, Canonical, Valve and Ethereum are all members, and if you’re a development shop (regardless of size), we encourage you to check out their website.