For those readers who are less 'tech' minded the announcement that Google has joined the Open Invention Network may not mean a lot. I'll try to elucidate.
From Googles own blog:
The concept behind OIN is simple. All OIN licensees, including participants such as IBM, Oracle, NEC and Sony, agree to cross-license their Linux-related patents to the others free of charge. Patent issues therefore become a much smaller concern inside the community, and OIN members can focus their energy on writing and releasing software rather than vetting their code for intellectual property issues. It's the legal equivalent of taking a long, deep breath.
Wow!
Not all of our readers may know this, but for the last couple of years the electronics and technology sectors of American industry have been staggering under the weight of 'patent lawsuits'. For consumers, this causes delays in new products and drives up the prices when there are shortages in parts.
For software things are a little different. Software is a tool. Can you imagine if you got used to working on your car with a set of wrenches and then found out that Micro$oft owned the 5/8ths wrench. You wouldn't be able to turn those nuts until there was a settlement requiring you to purchase Microsoft's version of the 5/8ths or, pay to upgrade the wrench you already have.
I am excited by the course Google is charting in this area and in the upcoming 700mhz range auction.
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