YOKYO, Japan, Jan. 27, 2026 — Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that it is joining Open Invention Network 2.0 (OIN 2.0) as a community member. OIN 2.0 is being launched on this date by OIN, an open source patent non-aggression community, to promote the protection and adoption of open source software.
The Open Invention Network (OIN) community promotes the use of open source software through a cross-licensing framework that enables mutual use of patents related to the Linux System. The over 4,000 companies that currently belong to the OIN community are provided access to approximately three million patents and patent applications through mutual licensing. The newly launched OIN 2.0 expands the scope of patent protection beyond the traditional Linux System to include emerging areas where open source software usage is growing rapidly, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and the energy sector. This evolution enables a cross-licensing framework that supports a broader range of technologies.
Yokogawa signed a license agreement with OIN in 2016 with the aim of accelerating product development and reducing the risks associated with patent litigation, thereby establishing a secure environment for developing system products that utilize Linux. Linux technologies are also used in Yokogawa system products in the OpreX Control and Safety System lineup, such as OpreX Collaborative Information Server. By joining OIN 2.0, Yokogawa has further expanded the range of areas in which open source software can be used with confidence. As a result, customers can benefit from having Linux-based applications and system products that enjoy stronger intellectual property protection.
Yokogawa will continue to promote open innovation and intellectual property protection through co-creation with multiple companies and organizations.