Listen to this articleThe global intelligent appliance market is experiencing significant growth. According to Grand View Research, the smart appliance market is expected to top $58 billion annually. A significant enabler of smart appliances is open source software.
As a strong proponent of open source software, and a leading global intelligent appliance maker, Midea is reinforcing its commitment to open source as an enabler of advanced, intelligent appliance platforms, by joining the Open Invention Network. Midea is the world’s leading smart home appliances brand and covers a wide range of product categories including air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, air fryers and robot vacuum cleaners. Midea Group has more than 190,000 employees worldwide and revenues of more than $57 billion.
“We continuously look for ways to integrate the best technologies into our smart appliances, helping to deliver products that exceed customers’ expectations. Open source helps us achieve our goal of continuous improvement in appliance technology and sustainability,” said Christian Fang, Senior IP Counsel at Midea Group. “We are pleased to join the Open Invention Network and support its role in protecting open source software.”
Founded 20 years ago, with financial backing from IBM / Red Hat, Google, NEC, Philips Sony, SUSE and Toyota – Open Invention Network (OIN), is the only institution focused on mitigating patent risk in open source software. With more than 4,000 global community members, OIN maintains the world’s largest and oldest patent cross license, which offers patent protection coverage defined by its Linux System Definition. By safeguarding against patent threats, OIN has encouraged the adoption of open source software, a significant driver of innovation in the 21st century.
“Advanced capabilities and intelligence are propelling ongoing innovation within the appliances industry. Open source, and specifically embedded Linux, are key drivers of these capabilities. They power the sensors that enable smart appliances,” said Keith Bergelt, CEO of Open Invention Network. “As a global leader in smart home appliances, we are pleased that Midea Group is committed to patent non-aggression in core Linux and adjacent open source technologies.”
As a community, OIN members practice patent non-aggression in core Linux and adjacent open source technologies by cross-licensing Linux System patents to one another. As open source has become pervasive, OIN’s Linux System definition addresses more than 4,500 software packages and components and has evolved to include Linux and adjacent open source technologies produced by projects focused on automotive, fintech, smart appliances, mobile communications, computing, cloud, IoT, and embedded, among many others.
