Linux Groups Merge to Push Single Standard

By Greg McNevin

January 23rd, 2007: Linux fans rejoice, the Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group have announced that they are coming together to form a new organisation to push the open source operating system.

The merging of the two groups signals a great boost to Linux and its battle with proprietary purveyor Microsoft, and will no doubt give developers something they have been after for a while, a single standard to develop applications for.

The foundation says that it does not build Linux or compete with existing Linux companies. Instead it aims to foster the growth of Linux. Next to standardisation of the platform, it aims to do this by protecting the OS through sponsorship of key developers such as Linus Torvalds, as well as providing legal services via the sponsorship of a legal defence fund should Linux or its developers be faced with lawsuits such as a patent infringement suit brought by Microsoft. The foundation also says it aims to provide a neutral forum for collaboration and promotion.

The foundation is not short of backers, with 70 companies lining up behind it including heavyweights such as HP, Intel, Oracle, Novell, Red Hat, Fujitsu, Hitachi, NEC and IBM. Jim Zemlin, the former executive director of the Free Standards Group, will lead the new foundation.

“Computing is entering a world dominated by two platforms: Linux and Windows. While being managed under one roof has given Windows some consistency, Linux offers freedom of choice, customization and flexibility without forcing customers into vendor lock-in,” said Zemlin. “The Linux Foundation helps in the next stage of Linux growth by organising the diverse companies and constituencies of the Linux ecosystem to promote, protect, and standardise Linux.”

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