Patent Policy

Novell Statement on Patents and Open Source Software

As a pioneer in the software industry, Novell has introduced award-winning products in areas such as networking, directories, resource management, and identity management. In general, the existing system of intellectual property rights protection around the world has allowed Novell, and other software companies, to compete, invent and deliver the benefits of their innovation to customers and the marketplace.

Novell is well aware of recent public discussion about patents relating to Linux and other open source products. To ensure that the marketplace has a clear understanding of Novell's position, we offer the following statement:

Copyright 2004