IBM has released the code on 500 software patents to
allow developers to use the technology to freely develop open
source technology.
In a statement IBM said, “The pledge will benefit any open
source software whose source code is published and available for
inspection and use by anyone, and which is made available under a
license agreement that permits recipients to copy, modify and
distribute the program’s source code without payment of fees or
royalties.”
The company is protecting itself against any move from other
suppliers who might claim Linux or other open source software
infringes their own technology.
The company said, “IBM reserves the right to terminate this
patent pledge and commitment only with regard to any party who
files a lawsuit asserting patents or other intellectual property
rights against open source software.”
This could leave developers taking advantage of IBM’s offer
vulnerable to a lawsuit.
The highly publicised legal action launched by SCO against IBM
in 2003, which claims that IBM and Linux infringed patents, has yet
to be settled.
The company has around 40,000 patents world wide and 25,000 US
patents.