The OSDL (Open Source Development Labs) has published a pair of whitepapers about its Patent Commons. One describes legal considerations for companies considering a donation to the Commons. The other guides developers in applying patented technology pledged to the Commons.

The Patent Commons administers patents pledged to the open source community by open source developers, and companies such as IBM, Nokia, Novell, Red Hat, and Sun Microsystems. The OSDL announced the Commons last fall.

The new Patent Commons whitepapers can be downloaded here:

• Understanding Patent Pledges: Overview of Legal Considerations (PDF download)
• A Developer's Guide to Using the Commons (PDF download)

Futher information is available from the OSDL's Patent Commons website.

 
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