Tier IV, the developer of Autoware open-source autonomous driving software, has joined Open Invention Network (OIN) 2.0, a patent non-aggression framework designed to reduce patent risks for companies using open-source technologies. The Tier IV Autoware OIN 2.0 membership aims to allow automakers, suppliers and semiconductor manufacturers to use open-source autonomous driving software with greater confidence.

OIN’s framework grants participants royalty-free cross-licenses to patents covering the Linux System, helping protect companies from patent risks associated with Linux and related open-source software. Launched in January 2026, OIN 2.0 expands the range of technologies covered under this non-aggression framework beyond the original OIN scope.

Tier IV has led Autoware development since its 2015 initial release, with the platform built on Linux and ROS (Robot Operating System) serving as the foundation for Tier IV’s autonomous driving software. Tier IV has been expanding the Autoware ecosystem in collaboration with automakers, suppliers and semiconductor companies.

By joining OIN 2.0, Tier IV will participate in the patent non-aggression framework and pursue a patent strategy that balances open-source software use with intellectual property protection. The company says the move is intended to support the sustainable development of the open-source ecosystem for autonomous driving.

Source: Tier IV