Google will protect Linux from Microsoft.

Confrontation Google and Microsoft all acute and already beyond the scope of markets, competition which is usual for both companies. The search giant announced its entry into non-profit organization OIN, dealing with patent issues affecting or concerning open source. The company already participate in the creation of the draft legal protection against claims of Linux, in particular, placed on open source from Microsoft.
At the LinuxWorld conference August 7, Google announced its entry in the Open Invention Network - a non-profit organization, which deals with patents of various programs with open source. The purpose of OIN - foster acceptable, legally protected work environment for all who work with open source, and for its promotion. First of all, the activities OIN As Linux.

The same step Google intends to strengthen its already close cooperation with open source. Joining the OIN was a logical step in the chain of such acts Google, as the holding Summer of Code ( «Summer of Code"), are invited to participate in the development of open source projects of students from around the world, the financing of various open source projects and help in carrying out activities such as , for example, Ubuntu Developer Summit (Summit developers Ubuntu). Representatives of the internet giant stressed that those "who work with Google, are working with Linux». On the workstations in the company installed Linux, Google's servers are also working on Linux.

Organization of Open Invention Network in conjunction with Google also introduced a draft on the legal protection against claims of various Linux companies in the open patents. First of all, we mean protection against claims of Microsoft, which earlier accused Linux of violating more than 230 patents. On the other details of cooperation are not reported.

Earlier Google has made another step toward open source. At a presentation at the Summit Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit Google announced the release of several new applications for Linux. Some of them will be open to all, and Google intends to keep third-party developers for these platforms.