The Linux Foundation is a non-profit consortium supported by a wide range of
computer, software and information technology companies.
There are three levels of membership (Platinum, Gold and Silver), principally
aimed at computer/software industry companies, and also various levels of affiliation,
more suited to end-users and other interested organizations (but also available to individuals
who wish to become affiliates).
The goal of the consortium
is to promote, protect and standardize
Linux:
The Linux Foundation provides legal services and sponsorship for
key Linux developers, including
Linus Torvalds.
Legal services including managing the
Linux trademark, supporting the US Patent Office use
open source software
as prior art, developing a patent commons, and sponsoring
the Linux Legal Defense Fund (a fund which offers to
"defray legal expenses of Linux end users who may become involved in litigation with The SCO Group on issues that affect the Linux community and industry").
The Foundation develops, promotes and supports standards such as the Linux Standard Base (LSB)
which simplifies the task of software vendors who wish to develop applications that can run on multiple
Linux distributions.
The Foundation promotes Linux itself, and collaboration
around Linux. For example, by providing spokespeople to talk
on Linux issues, and by organization and hosting collaboration
events.
The Linux Foundation was formed in January
2007
as a result of the merger of two previous organizations: the Open Source Development Labs
(OSDL), and the Free Standards Group (FSG).
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