TomTom joins open-source patent collective

TomTom, the GPS maker being sued by Microsoft, has joined a collective of companies that have pooled their patents in an effort to help defend open-source software against legal threats.

In a press release on Monday, the Open Invention Network said that TomTom had joined its ranks. The collective aims to create a "supportive and shielded ecosystem to ensure the growth and adoption of Linux" and has amassed a pool of 275 pending and issued patents.

"Linux plays an important role at TomTom as the core of all our portable navigation devices," Peter Spours, director of IP at TomTom, said in a statement. "We believe that by becoming an Open Invention Network licensee, we encourage Linux development and foster innovation in a technical community that benefits everyone."

Microsoft announced late last month that it was suing TomTom over a number of patents, including several related to TomTom's use of the Linux kernel. The suit marked the first time Microsoft has turned to the courts to enforce its long-held assertion that Linux infringes on Microsoft's patents.

Last week TomTom countersued Microsoft, saying the software maker violates some of TomTom's patents.

As for Open Invention Network, the effort was founded in 2005 by Red Hat, IBM, and others. Companies such as and have since joined.

Keith Bergelt, OIN's chief executive, has been critical of Microsoft's patent actions against TomTom and Linux.

"This indicates that they don't understand how to actually participate as a responsible member of the open-source or Linux community," he said of Microsoft, following its suit. "And their behavior is clearly antagonistic to Linux. It's unfortunate they decided to adopt this tact."

[chrisfrary]

Even though TomTom threatened Microsoft first, I think this will hold through that TomTom won't settle. Hopefully becoming part of the network OIN would discourage TomTom of giving up objections to the fat32 filesystem. This would be a major win for companies. In any matter device makers should pool together their resources and develop a cross-platform open source filesystem with drivers or just take an existing and provide more reliable support (they will also save money without the licensing). FAT, FAT16, FAT32, or exFAT is not the answer.

[Magallanes]

but, as far i known, TomTom is not opensource

[odubtaig]

Their standalone devices use embedded Linux as the core.

[jtjt145]

The Monopolist Micro$oft at its best: suing companies for using obvious software algorithms. And what's worse: America is helpless to put the monster in its place, due to moronic software patenting laws.
I wonder how long it will take before people will wake up and realize software patents do not help society but protect the interests of minorities. Software patents are akin to usage fees for mathematical formulas. As long as this is being ignored SOFTWARE PATENTS WILL COUNTER-ACT PROGRESS, something most parts of the world have already recognized.
There is no place for an America wanting to occupy a dominant role in software as long as patent hogging companies can stifle world innovation.

[t8]

Microsoft versus Linux is at least entertaining. Who doesn't like a Goliath and David story where the little guy wins. Linux is winning and competing in many markets. The desktop hasn't taken off yet, but we will see how well Android does.

[zaph_boy]

come on guys, if they really had any brains at all it wouldnt have been possible to get sued! mind you, now that i think about it, micro$oft hasnt had much brains in that department either. its all a big farce anyway. a free for all where the only rule is 'dont get caught'