OSDL launches patent commons library on Nov. 15

On November 15, 2005, the Open Source Development Lab (OSDL) launched an online patent commons reference library as a key plank in its ongoing Patent Commons Project. The patent commons library is a searchable database containing more than 500 patents and more than a dozen technical standards supported by patent pledges and covenants.

One thing to remember in all of this is that patents are rights to exclude, not rights to make. Just because one's product or process falls within the scope of a claim of an "open source" patent does not mean that one does not infringe a claim of a different patent.