About LMI

In 1996, a third party attempted to take control of the Linux trademark for the purpose of selling the right to use it. The Linux Mark Institute ("LMI") was formed in opposition to this attempt, and as a result of the dedicated and tirelesss efforts of Jon "maddog" Hall and the other founders, ownership of the Linux trademark was permanently transferred to Linus Torvalds.

LMI's Founders:

Linus Torvalds — trademark owner and creator of Linux
Jon "maddog" Hall — Linux International
Eric Boustani — Terra Law LLP
G. Gervaise (Gerry) Davis, III, Esq. — Davis and Schroeder

In 2004, LMI embarked on a partnership with the Linux Foundation — home to Linus Torvalds — to enhance support for LMI and its sublicense program. During 2006, that partnership solidified in LMI's reorganization.

Today, LMI continues to pursue its original mission: to protect the public and Linux users from unauthorized and confusing uses of the trademark and to authorize proper uses of the mark through an accessible sublicensing program. In affiliation with the Linux Foundation, LMI is able to offer a free (as in beer), perpetual, world-wide sublicense to approved sublicense applicants. In return, the sublicensee holders must agree not to challenge Linus Torvalds' ownership of the Linux mark in any jurisdiction, and to provide proper attribution of ownership on their goods, services and elsewhere. The Linux Sublicense Agreement is available for review.

Questions? Visit the FAQ or email LMI