Keith Bergelt

Keith Bergelt is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Open Invention Network (OIN), a collaborative organization dedicated to fostering innovation in open source technologies, particularly within the Linux ecosystem. His role involves safeguarding the integrity of Linux by establishing a "no-fly" zone around it, which protects against patent assertions that could hinder open source development and innovation.12

Background and Career

Education and Early Career:
Bergelt was born on September 11, 1958, and has a diverse background that includes experience as a U.S. diplomat before transitioning into the corporate sector. He began his private sector career in strategy consulting focused on intellectual asset management at SRI Consulting in Menlo Park, California.2

Previous Roles:
Before joining OIN in 2008, Bergelt held significant positions in various organizations:

• President and CEO of Paradox Capital and IPI, where he specialized in unlocking the value of intellectual property through innovative financing solutions.
• Senior Advisor to the technology investment division at Texas Pacific Group.
• General Manager of Strategic Intellectual Asset Management at Motorola Corporation, where he developed licensing strategies.12

During his tenure at Paradox Capital, he raised over $350 million to pioneer the use of intellectual property as collateral in asset-based lending, significantly impacting the IP finance landscape.12

Vision and Impact

Bergelt emphasizes the importance of balancing patent rights with the freedom to innovate within open source environments. He has been vocal about the negative impact of Patent Assertion Entities (PAEs) on innovation and advocates for a collaborative approach to patent management that fosters a competitive yet open technological landscape.12 Under his leadership, OIN has become the largest patent non-aggression community in history, supporting a vibrant ecosystem for Linux and related technologies.34

In summary, Keith Bergelt's extensive experience in both government and corporate sectors positions him as a key figure in promoting open source innovation and protecting the interests of developers within the Linux community.