A group of Linux proponents will purchase patents formerly held by Microsoft in an effort to defend distributors of the open-source OS against the ongoing threat of patent litigation from the software giant.

The Open Invention Network (OIN), whose members include IBM and Red Hat, is set to purchase a set of 22 patents once held by Microsoft from Allied Security Trust, (AST) sources close to the OIN confirmed Tuesday following a report in The Wall Street Journal. According to the newspaper, the patents are said to pertain to technologies found in Linux.

AST was founded by a group of technology companies to purchase patents to protect interested parties from patent litigation. Its members include Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Verizon. The Journal said that AST acquired the patents in a private auction held by Microsoft.
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