Open Source GNOME Foundation Settles With Patent Troll

All hail, devoted pro bono lawyers…

The open up supply GNOME Foundation has gained the appropriate to freely use a patent it was becoming sued in excess of by infamous patent troll, Rothschild Patent Imaging (RPIL) — one particular of thirty+ subsidiaries established by Leigh Rothschild.

The tiny foundation, which supports an open up supply, Linux-based desktop setting, was strike in September 2019 with a court docket situation by RPIL — which the EFF describes as a “poster little one for patent litigation abuse” .

RPIL had claimed that GNOME’s “Shotwell” process was in breach of US Patent No. 9,936,086, which primarily promises the patent legal rights a smartphone that can obtain illustrations or photos that a person can filter.

(The EFF blames the US’s Patent Workplace for issuing “more silly software patents to fuel patent trolling” — several corporations, if not all, settle with Rothschild for circa $fifty,000 more affordable than combating in courts).

Congratulations @nmcgovern and @gnome Foundation in settling the patent litigation and protecting open up supply from non practising entitiy (troll) Rothschild who are granting a launch and covenant to any software that is unveiled under an current @OpenSourceOrg permitted license

— OpenUK (@openuk_uk) May 21, 2020

In a substantial acquire for the open up supply minnow, which was represented pro bono by attorneys from Shearman & Sterling LLP, the litigants say they will grant a launch and covenant for the “entire Rothschild portfolio of patents”.

(This is only “to the extent these types of software forms a content portion of the infringement allegation” and if these types of software is open up sourced).

Neil McGovern, Govt Director for the GNOME Foundation claimed “I’m exceptionally pleased that we have concluded this situation. This will allow for us to refocus our awareness on making a free software desktop, and will make certain certainty for all free and open up supply software in long run.”

Leigh Rothschild claimed “I’m pleased that we have managed to settle this situation amicably. I have generally supported the innovation of open up supply software and its developers and inspire its innovation and adoption.”

The situation was settled just after ten months of “tireless” function by GNOME’s attorneys. The foundation claimed: “The broader free and open up supply neighborhood owes its thanks and gratitude to their tireless function.”