Open Invention Network (OIN), the largest patent non-aggression community in history, announced today that Heidelberger Druckmaschinen (Heidelberg) has joined as a community member. As a global leader in prepress, printing and finishing, service and consumables, and software solutions, with a strong focus on a digital future, Heidelberg is demonstrating its commitment to open source software as an enabler of innovation across the printing industry.
“Heidelberg’s decision to join OIN is indicative of the global trend towards increased value creation through software, not only in the printing industry but across all industrials. Forward looking industrial companies realize that open source software is the most efficient way to transform their business through software,” said Keith Bergelt, CEO of OIN. “We’ve clearly seen this in the automotive industry with Automotive Grade Linux, and there is promise in energy via LF Energy. We are pleased that an industry thought leader such as Heidelberg, which is driving the digital transformation of the printing industry, is joining OIN.”
“For more than 160 years, Heidelberg has been a leading provider of a spectrum of printing technologies used by the most respected print shops in the industry. We recognize the value of open source innovation in our firmware and increasingly sophisticated document management systems,” said Christof Haust, Head of Intellectual Property Consulting at Heidelberger Drucksmachinen, AG. “By joining OIN, we are demonstrating our continued commitment to innovation, and supporting it with patent non-aggression in Linux and adjacent technologies.”
OIN’s community practices patent non-aggression in core Linux and adjacent open source technologies by cross-licensing Linux System patents to one another on a royalty-free basis. The zone of cross-licensing is called OIN’s Linux System, a list of fundamental Linux software packages. Patents owned by Open Invention Network are similarly licensed royalty-free to any organization which agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux System. Organizations can join the OIN community online. www.openinventionnetwork.com
