Open Invention Network (OIN) is the only institution focused on mitigating patent risk in Open Source Software (OSS).

OIN maintains the world’s largest and oldest patent cross-license.

By safeguarding against patent threats, OIN has encouraged the adoption of OSS, the most significant driver of innovation in the 21st Century.

OIN has over 4,000 members across the global economy. The OIN patent license and member cross-licenses are available to any party that joins the OIN community.

Facts at a Glance Info Sheet
Mission

We enable freedom of action for Open Invention Network community members and users of Linux/OSS-based technology through our patent non-aggression, cross-license in the Linux System, which defines the commitment of all community members.

Corporate Overview Info Sheet
Vision

We will execute our mission by growing our community membership and engaging with companies of all types — from start-ups to Fortune 100 enterprises — across diverse industries.

  • We will continue to grow our worldwide membership and the Linux System over time.

  • We will continue updating the Linux System through a conservative, consensus-driven process to keep up with technological advances.

  • We will actively monitor for patent-related threats to Linux and adjacent Open Source technologies and encourage open source community Intellectual Property (IP)-related initiatives.

  • We will continue to promote and educate our community on complementary defensive IP strategies and support key Open Source initiatives.
What We Do

  • Deliver access to the Linux System patents of our community members through cross-licensing commitments.

  • Leverage our relationships to collect and share prior art when needed.

  • Challenge patent applications as appropriate.

  • Provide collective intelligence from a global community.

  • Support our members and those under attack from patent aggressors.

Key Linux System Applications
Apache
Eclipse
Evolution
Fedora Directory Server
Firefox
GIMP
GNOME
KDE
Mono
Mozilla
MySQL
Nautilus
.Net
OpenLDAP
OpenOffice.org
Open-Xchange
Perl
PostgreSQL
Python
Samba
SELinux
Sendmail
Thunderbird
By the Numbers
4,000+
members strong

From start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations

3 million+

patents and applications

Our community owns 3 million+ patents & applications in total.

12+
global patents and applications

Included in our patent portfolio

$100 million
in defensive patents

Acquired in support of the OIN and open source communities

4,500+

packages

Core Linux and Open Source Software packages in the Linux System

Member Benefits

  • Membership publicly demonstrates Open Source & patent non-aggression advocacy

  • Lifetime Membership is without entry barrier

  • Everyone signs the same agreement terms

  • Get INSIDER, OIN’s bi-monthly eNewsletter, to stay in-the-know

  • Patent cross-license in 4,500+ Linux and core Open Source technology packages

  • Patent peace in a community which owns 3 million+ patents & applications in total

  • You get the opportunity to network with our rapidly-growing community members

  • Members become part of a global, Open Source network of 4,000 from start-ups to Fortunate 100 firms

  • Membership is available to ALL Open Source advocates ­­­— business & individuals

  • Holding patents in the Linux System is not required

  • OIN leverages our industry relationships to collect & share prior art as needed

  • OIN challenges patent applications as appropriate

Join the OIN Community

The Membership process is simple. We welcome all individuals & companies who advocate for Open Source and are focused on reducing risk from the threats of patent aggressors.