IBM Provides 500 US Patents to Open Source Community

IBM Gives Away 500 US Patents

by Anton Shilov

[ 01/11/2005 | 11:12 AM ]

IBM has pledged open access to key innovations covered by 500 IBM software patents to people and groups working on open source software. The pledge applies to any individual, community, or company working on or using software that meets the Open Source Initiative (OSI) definition of open source software.

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“True innovation leadership is about more than just the numbers of patents granted. It's about innovating to benefit customers, partners and society. Continuing IBM's legacy of leadership in the strategic use of intellectual property, our pledge today is the beginning of a new era in how IBM will manage intellectual property to benefit our partners and clients. Unlike the preceding Industrial Economy, the Innovation Economy requires that intellectual property be deployed for more than just providing the owner with freedom of action and income generation,” said Dr. John E. Kelly, IBM senior vice president, Technology and Intellectual Property.

• Press Release: IBM Pledges 500 Patents to Open Source in Support of Innovation and Open Standards.
• List of Pledged Patents.