Kontron joins Open Invention Network (OIN)

Augsburg, March 10, 2016 – Kontron, a leading global provider of Embedded Computing Technology (ECT), has become a community member of Open Invention Network (OIN). The Open Invention Network was founded over 10 years ago by companies like Google, IBM, NEC, Philips, Red Hat, Sony and SUSE to support organizations that build or use Linux-related technology. The cornerstone of OIN is a community of around 2000 companies and projects that fosters patent-aggression in the Linux System "no fly zone". Every company in the OIN community pledges not to use Linux System patents aggressively against each other. This pledge acts as the starting point for a cultural norm for patent non-aggressions in Linux and adjacent open source technologies.
 
Kontron joined OIN because of the innovation it supports among many companies. Jens Wiegand, Kontron’s Chief Technology Officer, comments “The OIN membership supports Kontron on many levels. With our focus on building out our IoT framework, it makes perfect sense to be a part of an open source community that protects the rights of all members within the community, especially to reduce our patent risk around Linux related technology.”
 
"We are pleased to have an embedded systems industry leader such as Kontron join our network, and particularly as it is leveraging open source for its efforts in growth areas such as IoT and integrated systems software,” says Keith Bergelt, CEO of OIN. “By joining OIN, Kontron evidences its commitment to open source technologies and the patent non-aggression environment facilitated by OIN and its participants.”
 
As an OIN community member, Kontron will provide free licenses to its patents in the context of the Linux System in exchange of the same grant in return from other OIN participants. This promotes a litigation-free environment over core Linux technology.
 
 
About Kontron
Kontron, a global leader in embedded computing technology and trusted advisor in IoT, provides a complete and integrated portfolio of hardware, software and services. Kontron creates many of the standards that drive the world’s embedded computing platforms, bringing to life numerous technologies and applications. The result is an accelerated time-to-market, reduced total-cost-of-ownership, product longevity and the best possible overall application with leading-edge, highest reliability embedded technology.             
Kontron is a listed company. Its shares are traded in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on other exchanges under the symbol “KBC”.
For more information, please visit: www.kontron.com
 
About Open Invention Network
Open Invention Network (OIN) is the largest patent non-aggression community in history and supports freedom of action in Linux as a key element of open source software. Funded by Google, IBM, NEC, Philips, Red Hat, Sony and SUSE, OIN has almost 2000 community members and owns more than 1000 global patents and applications. The OIN patent license and member cross-licenses are available royalty free to any party that joins the OIN community.
For more information, visit http://www.openinventionnetwork.com