Open Invention Network (OIN), the company formed to spur innovation and protect Linux, and NEC Corporation (NEC) announced that NEC has joined IBM, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony as an investor and licensee in OIN. NEC's investment and participation in OIN will foster collaboration, promote innovation and grow the Linux ecosystem.

"The rapid pace of innovation and openness of the Linux environment make it attractive for hardware companies, software vendors and integrators to build and embed it in their products," said Jerry Rosenthal, chief executive officer of Open Invention Network, LLC. "With the addition of NEC as an investor and licensee, we will be able to increase our pace of intellectual property acquisition and sharing. This will strengthen the Linux environment."

"We believe that innovation is one of the biggest hallmarks for success. Linux is one of the most innovative and collaborative technologies ever, and a key growth driver for emerging markets," said Tsutomu Nakamura, senior vice president at NEC. "NEC is committed to building and fostering innovation. Open Invention Network is a rare and powerful force that is working to ensure that Linux is protected and available for all. We wanted to participate in that effort."

Patents owned by OIN are available royalty-free to any company, institution or individual that agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux environment. This enables companies to make significant corporate and capital expenditure investments in Linux -- helping to fuel economic growth. According to International Data Corporation, the worldwide Linux business is expected to grow 25.9 percent annually, doubling from $20 billion in 2005 to more than $40 billion in 2008.