TomTom’s latest move in the patent battle with Microsoft is to back itself with the Open Invention Network.
In a press release this morning, the OIN revealed that TomTom is its newest licensee. This means that TomTom will have access to more than 275 Linux-related patents royalty-free in exchange for its own related IP and a commitment not to assert its patents against the Linux OS. You know, like Microsoft does.
By joining the OIN, TomTom will have a thicker shield against Microsoft or any other company attempting to grab dollars by manipulating open-source technologies and licenses. It’ll also have a bigger army to fight Microsoft if the patent case does go to court–definitely a good thing given TomTom’s not-so-rosy financial picture.
Microsoft filed a patent infringement suit against TomTom a month ago alleging unlicensed use of its file naming system which happens to be Linux-based. Late last week TomTom fired back by filing an infringement suit against Microsoft relating to the latter’s Streets & Maps navigational software. Let the blood pour people, it looks like the fight is on.