Listen to this articleOpen source software continues to grow at an explosive rate. The business model inherent to open source, one of collaborative coopetition, makes it a driving force in fast growing sectors like AI/ML, embedded systems and all sectors of cloud computing. Open Invention Network was created to safeguard Linux from organizations looking to halt its growth through patent wars against open source developers, distributors and users.
As the code base and capabilities of Linux and other OSS projects have expanded, so has the amount of key software components that need to be protected. Every 18-24 months, to keep pace with innovation, Open Invention Network revises and expands its Linux System coverage.
Today, OIN announced its ninth expansion of the software packages and libraries protected under the Open Invention Network cross license, which more than 3,600 companies have signed. This update focuses on .Net, AI/ML, embedded systems libraries and container management, among other categories.
“Linux and open source collaboration continue to thrive as they accelerate the pace of transformation across a spectrum of industries. With this update, we have addressed expansion in key software platforms and projects. Additionally, we have added protection for strategic packages that enable hardware design and embedded applications,” said Keith Bergelt, CEO of OIN. “This Linux System definition update enables OIN to keep pace with open source innovation, promoting patent non-aggression in the core. As open source grows, we will continue to protect it through deliberate software package additions to the Linux System.”
Specifically, software packages, or components, being added to the Linux System include .Net, ONNX, tvm, Prometheus, Helm, Notary, Istio, Nix, OpenEmbedded, CoreOS, uClibc-ng, mbed-tls, musl, SPDX, AGL Services, OVN, FuseSoc, Verilator, Flutter, Jasmine, Weex, NodeRED, Eclipse Paho, Californium, Cyclone and Wakaama, among others. The expansion includes 337 new software components, bringing the total number of protected packages to 3,730.
