Open Invention Network Welcomes Google as a Full Member

DURHAM, NC--(Marketwired - Dec 18, 2013) - Open Invention Network (OIN), the organization formed to promote Linux by creating a collaborative environment, announced today that Google has joined IBM, NEC, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony as a Member of OIN. Google's increasing participation in OIN will drive new levels of innovation, collaboration and patent non-aggression in Linux and open source. In 2007, Google became OIN's first end-user licensee. More recently, Google has stood out through its participation as an Associate Member in the OIN community.

"Linux is one of the most innovative platforms ever invented. It has helped to spark unprecedented levels of mobile, networking, and computing capabilities while dramatically lowering costs," said Keith Bergelt, CEO of Open Invention Network. "For many years, Google has recognized the value and power of Linux. By advancing its relationship with OIN from Associate Member to Full Member, Google is once again demonstrating its leadership and commitment to Linux and open source. We are pleased to welcome them as a Full Member of OIN."

"Linux and open source are at the core of the software industry. Protecting open source is critical to us, our users, and to the ongoing health of the Internet," said Chris DiBona, Director of Open Source at Google. "We're proud of our new role within OIN."

About Google Inc.

Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google's innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top Internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world.

About Open Invention Network

Open Invention Network is a collaborative enterprise that enables innovation in open source and an increasingly vibrant ecosystem around Linux. It does this by acquiring and licensing patents, influencing behaviors and policy, and protecting the integrity of the ecosystem through strategic programs such as Linux Defenders. OIN enables the growth and continuation of open source software by fostering a healthy Linux ecosystem of investors, vendors, developers and users.

Open Invention Network was launched in 2005 and has strong industry support with backing from Google, IBM, NEC, Philips, Red Hat, Sony and SUSE (a business unit of Novell). For more information, visit http://www.openinventionnetwork.com.