Barclays and TD Bank Group join Linux patent defence network: Report

In order to protect against patent trolls, many organisations have formed a consortium called the Open Invention Network - and Barclays and the TD Bank Group are now the latest to join, according to reports.

The OIN has now begun to protect other open-source code that has also been targeted by patent trolls. (Pixabay)

Linux distributions may not be the most popular desktop operating systems at present when compared to Windows or macOS, but the Linux kernel powers most of the biggest software running on the internet today. From Facebook to Google, and Amazon to Twitter - even large banks, corporations and financial institutions like international stock markets rely on Linux.

It is no doubt that Linux is a very vital resource for most users, simply because of its open-source nature. Because of the way it is designed and how it is essentially a global collaborative effort between companies, hobbyists and enthusiasts, Linux also attracts a lot of patent trolls, which try to allege infringement of various patents. In order to protect against them, many organisations have formed a consortium called the Open Invention Network - and Barclays and the TD Bank Group are now the latest to join, according to reports.

Barclays, the UK based corporate and investment bank and TD Bank Group have both announced that they will be joining the Open Invention Network, according to ZDNet. The OIN has now begun to protect other open-source code that has also been targeted by patent trolls. These include Google's Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and the Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) file systems, which have also been included as part of the now wider Linux System Definition, according to the report.

“Spurious claims from Patent Assertion Entities divert resources and investment away from true innovation and collaboration. We also recognise that a modern approach to technology development and innovation requires a level playing field around (the) use of open-source software. With membership of LOT and OIN, we are pleased to contribute to and extend the growing global community working together to reduce the PAE threat and lower barriers to use of open source technologies," said Lee Braine, Managing Director, Chief Technology Office at Barclays.