Looks like major forces in the Open Source community are being funded to protect software patents that might be of interest. Is this the most productive move to make? Some might question this…

Five big backers of Linux are funding an effort to buy up related software patents, part of a plan to reduce legal risks that could impede the broader use of the open source operating system, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

A nonprofit company called Open Invention Network is receiving undisclosed funds from International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM - news), Sony Corp. (6758.T), Philips Electronics NV, Novell Inc. [Read the rest]

[tags]ibm,linux backers,wall street journal[/tags]