The Linux Foundation, in collaboration with the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), is excited to announce the expansion of its partnership with Unified Patents to defend open source software against non-practicing entities (NPEs). This enhanced partnership brings new advantages directly to Linux Foundation and CNCF members, to help defend the open source ecosystem against the growing threat of frivolous patent assertions targeting open source and cloud native technologies.
The Linux Foundation has long been a steadfast advocate for the open source community, promoting innovation, collaboration, and the protection of open source software from NPEs, commonly referred to as ‘patent trolls’. As the risk and volume of frivolous litigation against open source projects grows, the need to provide accessible protection from NPEs has become crucial. This expanded partnership with Unified Patents, a recognized leader in the fight against NPEs, underscores the Linux Foundation and CNCF’s commitment to safeguarding open source projects and their users, who are increasingly the targets of patent trolls.
This initiative builds on the success of previous collaborations with Unified Patents, which have played pivotal roles in defending critical open source projects from unjust patent litigation. In 2019, the Linux Foundation and Unified Patents partnered to create an Open Source Zone to defend projects from NPEs. Through this latest partnership, members of the Linux Foundation and CNCF–over 1300 companies–will gain access to a suite of advantages based on their membership level to assist in proactive NPE defense, including:
- Annual NPE risk analysis
- Patent portfolio analysis
- Access to Unified’s PATROLL prior art bounty program
- Regular updates on NPE activities
- Access to specialized events
- Option to sponsor specific PATROLL crowdsourcing prior art contests and participate in any royalty-free licenses granted in resulting settlements.
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“We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Unified Patents,” said Mike Dolan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Projects and Legal at the Linux Foundation. “This partnership not only strengthens our collective defense strategy, but also provides our members with critical resources to navigate and counter the complex NPE landscape.”
“The expansion of our partnership with the Linux Foundation and CNCF is a significant step forward in the ongoing battle against patent trolls,” said Shawn Ambwani, Chief Operating Officer at Unified Patents. “By combining our expertise and resources, we are better equipped to protect the open source community from those who seek to exploit the system for profit without contributing to innovation.”
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