OIN sponsors mobile ID management research

The Open Invention Network (OIN), a defensive patent pool for Linux, has announced that it is sponsoring research into identity management technology. Formed in 2005 by IBM, NEC, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony, as a defence against companies exerting patents against the "Linux system", it is believed that this is the first time the OIN has invested directly in research.

The OIN is working with the Arizona State University's technology transfer office, Arizona Technology Enterprises (AzTE). According to the announcement OIN has acquired "key intellectual property" from AzTE in the field of mobile device identity management, although the details of this intellectual property are not disclosed.

OIN CEO Keith Bergelt said the research will "support the continued advancement of open source solutions into mobile devices". Dr Gail-Joon Ahn leads the research at Arizona State University's Ira A Fulton School of Engineering and is director of SEFCOM (Secure Engineering For Future Computing). Dr Ahn said "Mobile device security has recently received considerable attention since it lacks a usable and effective method for handling user credentials" and explained that the research is looking to solve security issues such as privacy, identity theft and fraud, on all mobile devices.

(djwm)