Lloyds offers relief for Linux-patent concerns
Offer might attract firms fearing legal action
Roger Howorth, IT Week 18 Aug 2005
Lloyd's of London is to offer insurance to protect firms if patent actions arise from their use of Linux and open-source software.
The offer may attract firms that would not be able to afford the costs of a legal action for patent infringement. Experts estimate that the cost of defending a typical patent case in the US is $3m.
The policy from Lloyd's will be offered in conjunction with software insurance specialist Open Source Risk Management (OSRM), which already offers similar policies and says it will charge firms $60 (£35) per server.
