Few days ago the Open Invention Network (INO), released the news that Xiaomi, one of the largest manufacturers of smartphones, smart devices and IoT platforms, has become a member of OIN.
By joining the OIN, the company has demonstrated its commitment with co-innovation and non-invasive patent management, since as such Linux and open source technologies are a key part of Xiaomi products and the company intends to continue the development and integration of open source software into its products, as well as participate in the development of Linux and various open source projects.
Xiaomi is one of the leading smartphone companies in the world. The company has also established the world's leading consumer AIoT (AI + IoT) platform, with 351,1 million smart devices connected to its platform as of March 31, 2021, not including smartphones and laptops. Xiaomi products are present in more than 100 countries and regions around the world.
OIN members are committed to not filing patent claims and they are free to authorize the use of proprietary technologies in projects related to the Linux ecosystem. OIN members include more than 3500 companies, communities and organizations that have signed patent sharing license agreements.
Among the main participants of OIN, providing the formation of a group of patents that protects Linux, companies such as Google, IBM, NEC, Toyota, Renault, SUSE, Philips, Red Hat, Alibaba, HP, AT&T, Juniper, Facebook, Cisco, Casio, Huawei, Fujitsu, Sony and Microsoft.
Smartphones, smart devices, and IoT technology are driving unprecedented capabilities to improve personal relationships, expand entertainment options, make homes smarter, and drive business efficiency. Thanks to its rich technical research and development capabilities, Xiaomi has created a significant range of products and services, as well as a sophisticated portfolio of intellectual property, ”said Keith Bergelt, CEO of Open Invention Network. "We appreciate that Xiaomi joins OIN and demonstrates its commitment to collaborative innovation and non-aggression of open source patents."
"Xiaomi is dedicated to providing transparent and reliable products to users, so that quality technology is accessible to all," said Mr. Cui, Vice President of Xiaomi Group. “Linux and open source technology are a fundamental part of Xiaomi products. We will continue to develop and integrate OSS into our products. By joining OIN, we are demonstrating our relentless commitment to creativity and open source. ThisWe are proud to support Linux and the development of other open source projects in a way that is free from patent concerns.
Signatory companies obtain access to patents held by the OIN in exchange for the obligation not to sue for the use of technologies used in the Linux ecosystem. Among other things, as part of joining the OIN, Microsoft transferred to OIN participants the right to use more than 60 of its patents, pledging not to use them against Linux and open source software.
The agreement between OIN members applies only to components of distributions that fall under the definition of a Linux system ("Linux System"). The list currently includes 3393 packages, including Linux kernel, Android platform, KVM, Git, nginx, Apache Hadoop, CMake, PHP, Python, Ruby, Go, Lua, LLVM, OpenJDK, WebKit, KDE, GNOME, QEMU, Firefox, LibreOffice, Qt, systemd, X.Org, Wayland, PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc. In addition to non-aggression obligations, for additional protection within the OIN, a patent pool has been formed, which includes patents bought or donated by Linux-related participants.
OIN's patent group includes more than 1300 patents, including OIN Hands is a group of patents, involving one of the first reference technologies that create dynamic web content that anticipated occurrence systems such as Microsoft's ASP, Sun / Oracle's JSP, and PHP.
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