Insurance for Software Infringement Claims

• Posted by Geoffrey G. Gussis on February 3rd, 2005


• Filed in Guides, Tips and Practice Pointers, IT/Software/Internet, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Risk Management & Compliance

If your company is actively monitoring the risks associated with the use of open source software, your IT and legal departments are already intimately familiar with the lawsuits filed by the SCO Group against prominent technology companies alleging infringement of their intellectual property rights.  How does a company protect itself from OSS infringement risks? One new way may be through insurance - but it will cost you.  Open Source Risk Management is offering $5 million in IP insurance at an annual rate of 3% per year.  This may be an area worth looking into and, while you are at it, you should check with your risk management department on existing coverage for non-OSS software.