Patent Issues in Open Source

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Apr21

Patent Issues in Open Source

Linda Chan

Know More: Intellectual property 2.0, Intellectual property

The open source movement focused originally on rights relating to copyright. Increasing awareness of patent issues arose with the Caldera Systems, Inc., d/b/a The SCO Group, (SCO) vs. IBM case, where users of open source realized that patent terms were not covered in most open source license agreements.

Patent concerns for open source users include:

1. How to avoid infringement claims
2. How to maintain use rights to code
3. How to protect a patent portfolio
Three methods of resolving patent issues include:

a. Patent license grants

A license may provide no express patent license, but imply such a license in the general license grant.

b. Patent retaliation clauses

The purpose of patent retaliation clauses is to prevent patent litigation against an open source licensee. A license may terminate if an open source user sues the licensor for patent infringement.

c. Warranties and indemnities

Whether to give or obtain warranties and indemnities depends on the associated risks.

related entries

IP Issues In M & A Aug 30, 2007
IP Year in Review Jun 24, 2007
Microsoft May Buy Yahoo!? May 13, 2007
Microsoft v. AT&T May 10, 2007
KSR International v. Teleflex May 9, 2007

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