Oracle Becomes Licensee of Open Invention Network (OIN)

Oracle Signs License Agreement with Open Invention Network

Demonstrates Oracle's Commitment to a Secure and Fertile Linux Ecosystem Which Drives Innovation and Ensures choice in the Marketplace

New York, NY, USA. March 27, 2007.

Open Invention Network (OIN), the company formed to spur innovation and protect the Linux System, announced today that Oracle, the world's largest enterprise software company, has become a licensee. By becoming a licensee, Oracle is demonstrating its commitment to a secure, fertile Linux ecosystem, ensuring choice in the marketplace.

Patents owned by Open Invention Network are available royalty-free to any company, institution or individual that agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux System. This enables companies like Oracle to continue to make significant corporate and capital expenditure investments in Linux — helping to fuel economic growth.

"We are very pleased to have Oracle become a licensee of Open Invention Network's patents," said Jerry Rosenthal, chief executive officer of Open Invention Network. "Oracle is the global leader in enterprise software. It is a prime example of forward-thinking companies that understand the value inherent in the openness and collaborative culture of the Linux community. OIN has and will continue to acquire intellectual property that will protect Linux developers, distributors and users, today and years into the future."

"We have been active members of the Linux development community for years," said Oracle Chief Corporate Architect Edward Screven. "We believe licensing Open Invention Network's patents provides assurance to anyone working to make Linux better, including Oracle. We applaud Open Invention Network for encouraging and supporting Linux innovation."

In less than a year, OIN has accumulated more than 100 strategic, worldwide patents and patent applications. These patents are available to all licensees as part of the patent commons that OIN is creating around, and in support of Linux. This makes it economically attractive for companies that want to repackage, embed and use Linux to host specialized services or create complementary products. Additionally, it helps ensure the continuation of innovation that has benefited software vendors, customers, emerging markets and investors.

The Open Invention Network license agreement can be found at:

http://www.openinventionnetwork.com/pat_license.php

About Oracle

Oracle is the world's largest enterprise software company. For more information about Oracle, please visit our Web site at http://www.oracle.com.

About Open Invention Network

Open Invention Network is an intellectual property company formed to further the Linux System by acquiring patents and ensuring their availability. It promotes a positive, fertile ecosystem for Linux, which in turn drives innovation and choice in the global marketplace. Open Invention Network has considerable industry backing. It was launched in 2005, and has received investments from IBM, NEC, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony. For more information go to www.openinventionnetwork.com.

From the Open Invention Network Patent License Agreement

Patents are a public grant through governments, of the exclusive right to exploit the invention described in the patent for a fixed period of time, typically 20 years from the filing of a patent application. The bargain received by the public is that of disclosure of the invention so others may learn from the invention. The exclusive rights held by the owner of the patent are the rights to manufacture, use and sell products or processes they invented.

Patents can be powerful tools and are critical to commerce in a number of industries. Without the benefit of the exclusive rights conveyed by patents, it would be difficult to justify the risks inherent in the inventive process where substantial time or cost is involved. At the same time, merely holding a patent does not assure the ability to bring the invention to market. It is this ability to determine who may exploit the invention that gives the patent value. Businesses that infringe on a patent must either stop producing the item they are selling or negotiate an exchange of economic value with the patent owner.

Open Invention Network believes that one of the keys to innovation in the Linux community is the ability to share software code and ideas. Open Invention Network acquires patents and makes them available royalty-free to any company, institution or individual that agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux System. This enables companies to make significant corporate and capital expenditure investments in Linux — helping to promote collaboration and fuel economic growth.

Prepared by Robin Cover for The XML Cover Pages archive. See also Patents and Open Standards.

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By becoming a licensee, Oracle is demonstrating its commitment to a secure, fertile Linux ecosystem, ensuring choice in the marketplace. Patents owned by Open Invention Network are available royalty-free to any company, institution or individual that agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux System. This enables companies like Oracle to continue to make significant corporate and capital expenditure investments in Linux — helping to fuel economic growth. "We are very pleased to have Oracle become a licensee of Open Invention Network's patents," said Jerry Rosenthal, chief executive officer of Open Invention Network. "Oracle is the global leader in enterprise software. It is a prime example of forward-thinking companies that understand the value inherent in the openness and collaborative culture of the Linux community. OIN has and will continue to acquire intellectual property that will protect Linux developers, distributors and users, today and years into the future." "We have been active members of the Linux development community for years," said Oracle Chief Corporate Architect Edward Screven. "We believe licensing Open Invention Network's patents provides assurance to anyone working to make Linux better, including Oracle. We applaud Open Invention Network for encouraging and supporting Linux innovation." In less than a year, OIN has accumulated more than 100 strategic, worldwide patents and patent applications. These patents are available to all licensees as part of the patent commons that OIN is creating around, and in support of Linux. This makes it economically attractive for companies that want to repackage, embed and use Linux to host specialized services or create complementary products. Additionally, it helps ensure the continuation of innovation that has benefited software vendors, customers, emerging markets and investors. The Open Invention Network license agreement can be found at: http://www.openinventionnetwork.com/pat_license.php About Oracle Oracle is the world's largest enterprise software company. For more information about Oracle, please visit our Web site at http://www.oracle.com. About Open Invention Network Open Invention Network is an intellectual property company formed to further the Linux System by acquiring patents and ensuring their availability. It promotes a positive, fertile ecosystem for Linux, which in turn drives innovation and choice in the global marketplace. Open Invention Network has considerable industry backing. It was launched in 2005, and has received investments from IBM, NEC, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony. For more information go to www.openinventionnetwork.com. From the Open Invention Network Patent License Agreement Patents are a public grant through governments, of the exclusive right to exploit the invention described in the patent for a fixed period of time, typically 20 years from the filing of a patent application. The bargain received by the public is that of disclosure of the invention so others may learn from the invention. The exclusive rights held by the owner of the patent are the rights to manufacture, use and sell products or processes they invented. Patents can be powerful tools and are critical to commerce in a number of industries. Without the benefit of the exclusive rights conveyed by patents, it would be difficult to justify the risks inherent in the inventive process where substantial time or cost is involved. At the same time, merely holding a patent does not assure the ability to bring the invention to market. It is this ability to determine who may exploit the invention that gives the patent value. Businesses that infringe on a patent must either stop producing the item they are selling or negotiate an exchange of economic value with the patent owner. Open Invention Network believes that one of the keys to innovation in the Linux community is the ability to share software code and ideas. Open Invention Network acquires patents and makes them available royalty-free to any company, institution or individual that agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux System. This enables companies to make significant corporate and capital expenditure investments in Linux — helping to promote collaboration and fuel economic growth. Prepared by Robin Cover for The XML Cover Pages archive. See also Patents and Open Standards.