Patently Obvious - The Year That Lawyers Came to FOSS

Explore a pivotal moment in Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) history through this conference talk delivered at LCA 2021 Online. Delve into the unprecedented patent infringement lawsuit against GNOME Foundation and learn about the strategic response that not only defeated the suit but also secured a landmark agreement protecting FOSS projects from future litigation. Gain insights into the legal challenges faced by open-source communities, the intricacies of patent assertion entities, and the innovative approaches employed to safeguard FOSS interests. Follow the chronological journey from the initial notification to the public announcement of the settlement, understanding the complexities of the patent in question and the broader implications for the open-source ecosystem.

Introduction
Background
Initial Response
The Patent
The Response
The Settlement
Going Public
Court Cases