[arch-general] Patent protection

[Sven-Hendrik Haase]

On 08.12.2010 23:04, Kaiting Chen wrote:
> On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 4:47 PM, Armando M. Baratti <
> ambaratti.listas at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> What you may not know is that, as Novell was part of OIN (Open Invention
>> Network), those that join OIN *before* the closing date for the acquisition
>> (about january 23) will be protected from any harassment regarding these
>> patents.
>> This [2] Groklaw's article explains it in more detail.
>>
>> It works because the patents are granted perpetually to OIN members that
>> have jointed before the closing date, even in the case of a sell (like
>> occurred in this case).
>>
>> You don't need to have patents or be a company to join (for free) OIN. Any
>> project (like Arch Linux), or even an individual can do it.
>>
> I could be totally wrong here, but as far as I know "Arch Linux" doesn't
> actually exist as a legal entity. I haven't had time to read the linked
> articles, but if this is the case would it even be possible for us to join
> the OIN? --Kaiting.
>
I was contacted about my distro (live.linux-gamers.net) by OIN and now a
member now. Apparently it works.