In addition, Fenwick attorneys have contributed comments to the various GPL versions, including significant contributions to the current version, GPLv3 (released in June 2007). Therefore, we are fully versed in the nuances of complying with the GPL, as well as how to create IP value while still incorporating open source solutions into company products.

Our wide range of open source expertise includes:

• More than 60 attorneys with computer science, computer engineering and electrical engineering degrees, a number with direct programming experience involving open source code and on open source projects such as threading libraries and the GNU Standard C++ Library
• Deep knowledge of the different open source licensing regimes, including weekly (if not daily) counseling on compliance with open source license requirements
• Negotiating open source issues as part of in-bound and out-bound technology transactions for clients of all sizes
• Patent prosecution for clients whose primary products and services are open source related, as well as patent prosecution for large companies whose products may incorporate open source elements
• Avoiding "taint" of proprietary software by open source
• Developing open source policies for leading technology companies, including decision tree models to determine risk/benefit analysis of incorporating open source into company products and, when incorporated, the most appropriate licensing regime
• Handling open source issues on literally hundreds of M&A transactions: Fenwick attorneys have developed a proprietary open source due diligence questionnaire that allows us to efficiently identify, analyze and resolve open source issues without delay to the transaction, as well as to assist with management of open source issues during post-closing integration