The Open Invention Network (OIN) is an open source patent group that works to ensure that Linux is safe from copyright lawsuits. OIN holds over 1,000 patents and is made up of over 2,500 members, including SUSE, Google, IBM, Red Hat, etc.
Microsoft isalso worth noting that OIN members can grant patents to other members. Through this process, Microsoft has in a way made more than 60,000 patents open source.
According to ZDNet, Keith Bergelt, CEO of OIN, said that these patents consist of tons of technologies related to Android, OpenStack, Linux kernel, HyperLedger, LF Energy, etc.
Microsoft will lose billions of dollars
As a result of this change, Microsoft is expected to lose billions of dollars each year. In 2014, the company earned about $3.4 billion from Android patents, with one billion of those coming from Samsung.
In response, Microsoft said it has undergone a philosophical shift. The company's past battle with the open source community is no secret, and its gesture certainly looks like an attempt to protect its patents from copyright lawsuits.
It's worth noting that Microsoft has taken similar steps in the past. Just two years ago, the company announced the Azure IP Advantage Plan.
