Since its inception in 1991, Linux has grown to become a force in computing, powering everything from the New York Stock Exchange to mobile phones to supercomputers to consumer devices. The Linux Foundation is the nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007, the Linux Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading technology companies and developers from around the world. The Linux Foundation promotes, protects and advances Linux by marshaling the resources of its members and the open source development community to ensure Linux remains free and technically advanced.
Promoting Linux and Providing Neutral Collaboration and Education
The Linux Foundation serves as a neutral spokesperson for Linux and generates original research and content that advances the understanding of the Linux platform. Its web properties, including Linux.com, reach approximately two million people per month. It also fosters innovation by hosting collaboration events -- including LinuxCon -- for the Linux technical community, application developers, industry and end users to solve pressing issues facing the Linux ecosystem. Through the Linux Foundation's collaboration programs, end users, developers and industry collaborate on technical, legal and promotional issues.
Protecting and Supporting Linux Development
It's vitally important that Linux creator Linus Torvalds and other key kernel developers remain independent. The Linux Foundation sponsors them so they can work full time on improving Linux. The Linux Foundation also manages the Linux trademark, offers developers legal intellectual property protection and a legal defense fund and coordinates industry and community legal collaboration and education, including important work to defend Linux against legal threats.
Improving Linux as a Technical Platform
The Linux Foundation offers application developers standardization services and support, including the Linux Standard Base, that makes Linux an attractive target for their development efforts. The Linux Foundation also provides services to the Linux development community, including an open source developer travel fund, legal support and other administrative assistance. Through its workgroups, members and developers can collaborate on key technical areas which can include everything from Cloud Computing to Printing in Linux. Finally, users can access Linux training through its technical training program.