The Linux Foundation has announced that Protecode is its newest member. Protecode is a provider of products and services for open source software licensing and copyright management, software Intellectual Property (IP) management, code portfolio mapping, and for carrying out IP due diligence of software companies. The company is joining The Linux Foundation to participate in the pan-industry initiative, the Open Compliance Program.

The Linux Foundation’s Open Compliance Program includes a set of tools, training curricula and a self-assessment checklist that seeks to provide companies with a means of ensuring compliance in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Protecode's director of product management Kamal Hassin has said that companies today are building products with software code from multiple sources, which is creating advances in time-to-market and cost reduction — but that this can also introduce licensing complexities.

“We are seeing an increasing demand for our Open Compliance Program resources and welcome Protecode’s expertise in open source license management,” said Amanda McPherson, VP of marketing and developer programs at The Linux Foundation.