Service providers and service users are rushing to embrace cloud offerings, many of them powered by open source software. Patent holders are not far behind them. I would like to discuss patents and how they apply to cloud computing, and how to address these issues in cloud initiatives. My presentation is important to the Linux ecosystem and this event in particular because many cloud offerings, both public and private, heavily use open source software, especially Linux, in their infrastructure.
The audience includes cloud service providers, open source providers with cloud offerings, and their customers. They can expect a brief and lively overview of patent law and how it applies to cloud computing, followed by an in-depth discussion of specific issues that need to be addressed when negotiating business arrangements involving cloud offerings. No technical expertise is required.