Open Invention Network

Technology, Information and InternetNorth Carolina, United States11-50 Employees

Securing Open Source Patent Protection — Past, Present & Future

The launch of OIN 2.0 — effective January 27, 2026 — is a significant evolution of OIN’s business model after 20 years. Expanding support from a small, core group of funding members, OIN 2.0 introduces a shared and community-driven funding model designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of its mission — shielding the Open Source community from patent threats & enabling Open Source to flourish.

“OIN 2.0 is a continuation of OIN’s long standing commitment to protect Open Source Software (OSS) from patent threats, modified to reflect today’s realities. Open Source technologies have grown exponentially beyond Linux, into new and exciting sectors, and clearly beyond what was originally envisioned in the early 2000s when OIN was created,” says Keith Bergelt, OIN’s CEO.

OIN 2.0 marks a transition & provides an opportunity for all who benefit from Open Source to contribute to OIN’s ongoing patent protection. OIN 2.0 fees allow us to update the scope of patent protection coverage as OSS expands in the future, grow our network of participants to increase the breadth of our community, monitor patent threats to OSS & support community members under patent threat in OSS with defensive strategies. The participation fee is structured so large enterprises contribute more, medium-sized companies pay less & small organizations remain free.

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