03.27.07
Oracle to Join Open Invention Network
From the attaboy department
Today it is expected that the Open Invention Network will announce a new member, Oracle. No word on exactly which patents Oracle will be making available to OIN…
On March 27, Oracle and the Open Invention Network (OIN) will announce that Oracle will become an OIN licensee. By doing this, Oracle opens the doors to making some of its patents available royalty-free to any company, institution, or individual that agrees not to assert its patents against Linux.
OIN members — which currently include IBM, NEC, Novell, Philips, Red Hat, and Sony — agree to assign software patents that might affect Linux to the OIN. These patents can then be used by anyone in Linux without having to pay any royalty fees or having to worry about future law suits.
Regular readers will know that I am a little critical of Oracle from time to time, so it’s very pleasing to be able to write a positive entry on them. Of course, I see the whole concept of stockpiling legally invalid software patents on behalf of GNU/Linux as just a symbolic effort, but it’s nice to see nonetheless.
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.
Roy Schestowitz said,
March 27, 2007 at 11:51 am
When OSDL tried this, Stallman said they were doing more harm than good. The FSF’s reaction would be interesting if it’s made vocal.
Stephen said,
March 27, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Pity you don’t mention Novell as a founding member and the eCommerce patents (amongst others) that they contributed to the network! Balance in all things make all things a little more fair.
shane said,
March 27, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Um, the quote already mentions Novell, this isn’t an article about the uselessness of OIN, and if Novell believes the OIN approach is the right one - why negotiate their own peace with Microsoft rather than ‘hang’ with the rest of the community?
Roy Schestowitz said,
March 27, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Here is an blog that says it well:
http://www.businessreviewonline.com/os/archives/2007/03/oracle_shows_mi.html
I suppose a suitable analogy can be made to say that Novell surrendered (on behalf of others as well) while Oracle shows willingness to fight for Linux.