"Open source software providers may have less to fear from legal action over patents than proprietary software developers, according to a patent law specialist.

Daniel Ravicher, executive director at the Public Patent Foundation, argues that a number of factors would make it hard for a patent holder to seek an injunction or damages against open source software.

...'In essence, the common theme is that, because of the network effects inherent with free [open source] software, no party or project of any significance can be singled out for attack on the basis of patent infringement.'"

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