Microsoft partners with OpenChain Project, simplifying compliance in software supply chain

A global open source licence compliance project, designed to simplify and make open source license compliance more consistent for participants of the software supply chain, has been backed by Microsoft.

The OpenChain Project, through its OpenChain Curriculum, looks to produce the “educational foundation” for open source processes and solutions creating a more predictable, understandable an efficient open source license compliance process for the software supply chain.

Microsoft joins other global technology powerhouses, including Uber, Google and Facebook, and will will help establish best practices and global standards for open software compliance. This will allow its customers to have even greater choice and opportunity to “bridge Microsoft and other technologies in heterogeneous environments.”

"Trust is key to open source, and compliance with open source licenses is an important part of building that trust," said David Rudin, Assistant General Counsel, Microsoft. "By joining the OpenChain Project, we look forward to working alongside the community to define compliance standards that help build confidence in the open source ecosystem and supply chain."

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"We're thrilled that Microsoft has joined the project and welcome their expertise," said Shane Coughlan, OpenChain General Manager. "Microsoft is a strong addition not only in terms of open source but also in standardization. Their membership provides great balance to our community of enterprise, cloud, automotive and silicon companies, allowing us to ensure the standard is suitable for any size company across any industry."

As a platinum member, a representative from Microsoft will join the OpenChain Governing Board. Other platinum members of the OpenChain project include Adobe, ARM Holdings, Cisco, Comcast, Facebook, GitHub, Google, Harman International, Hitachi, Qualcomm, Siemens, Sony, Toshiba, Toyota, Uber and Western Digital.