Training and Education

The Linux Foundation offers a variety of free informational resources including white papers from noted industry experts.

Open Compliance Training Courses

The Linux Foundation offers hands-on training from compliance experts for individuals and companies responsible for achieving compliance with open source licenses and establishing an open source compliance program, as well as for those who simply want to learn more about compliance. Options available include live onsite training in addition to instructor-led live remote training. A certificate is provided to all who complete the training.

Course ID Title Duration Details
LF488 Implementation and Management of Open Source Compliance
Adapt compliance activities to your organization's needs with this comprehensive course that provides in-depth guidance on implementing an open source compliance program. Topics include: disclosure obligations, source code distribution mechanisms, corporate code contributions, adaptation of existing processes, compliance tools and automation and much more.		 Two Days Learn More
LF384 Overview of Open Source Compliance End-to-End Process
Prepare your organization to implement an open source compliance program by learning about the fundamentals of open source development, licensing principles, compliance obligations, and the contributions needed from the various functional groups; such as Executive Management, the Law Department, Supply Chain, Technical Documentation and Configuration Management.		 One Day Learn More
LF281 Executive Review of Open Source Compliance
Learn about the framework for an open source compliance program, including: open source licensing basics, compliance requirements, and the consequences of non-compliance. In addition, organizing, managing and staffing for the compliance effort will also be discussed.		 Half Day Learn More
LF272 Open Source Compliance Programs: What You Must Know
Gain insight into industry best practices in organizing and managing the compliance function in this condensed version of compliance training delivered live via the internet. Pitfalls and common process challenges in establishing compliance programs will also be discussed.		 Two Hours Learn More

Open Compliance White Papers

Here you will find in-depth information on open source compliance from noted industry experts.

FOSS Compliance Practices for Supplied Software   FOSS Compliance Practices for Supplied Software
Author: Philip Koltun (Ph.D.), The Linux Foundation
This white paper examines compliance practices needed when software supplied by a third party vendor is brought into the code baseline of a product to be distributed externally. The white paper discusses requirements a company should impose upon its suppliers to disclose FOSS in their deliverables and to provide what’s needed to achieve compliance. The paper also discusses steps a company should take to review and validate the FOSS disclosures made by its suppliers. In addition to those topics, the white paper addresses measures a company can undertake to assess its suppliers’ compliance capabilities.
July 2011
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A Five Step Compliance Process for FOSS Identification and Review   A Five Step Compliance Process for FOSS Identification and Review
Author: Ibrahim Haddad (Ph.D.), The Linux Foundation
This white paper is one in a series that focuses on the various practical aspects of ensuring free and open source software (FOSS) compliance in the enterprise. This paper provides an example of a compliance process for FOSS identification and review that consists of five steps. The focus of the paper is around using and integrating FOSS with proprietary and third party source code in a commercial product.
June 2011
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Keys to Managing a FOSS Compliance Program   Keys to Managing a FOSS Compliance Program
Author: Philip Koltun (Ph.D.), The Linux Foundation
This white paper is sixth in a series that focuses on the various practical aspects of ensuring free and open source software (FOSS) compliance in the enterprise. This paper examines the managerial practices needed to plan, coordinate, and control a successful compliance program.
February 2011
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Achieving FOSS Compliance in the Enterprise   Achieving FOSS Compliance in the Enterprise
Author: Ibrahim Haddad (Ph.D.), The Linux Foundation
This white paper is fifth in a series that focuses on the various practical aspects of ensuring free and open source software (FOSS) compliance in the enterprise. This paper examines a sample end-to- end compliance process.
December 2010
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A Glimpse Into Recommended Practices in a FOSS Compliance Management Process   A Glimpse Into Recommended Practices in a FOSS Compliance Management Process
Author: Ibrahim Haddad (Ph.D.), The Linux Foundation
This paper is one in a series that discusses the topic of FOSS compliance and it is part of the free educational material that the Linux Foundation is making available under the Open Compliance Program.
October 2010
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Free and Open Source Software Compliance: Who Does What   Free and Open Source Software Compliance: Who Does What
Author: Ibrahim Haddad (Ph.D.), The Linux Foundation
Ever since companies started integrating FOSS in their products, there has been the need to ensure compliance with applicable FOSS licenses. Different companies have used various ways to structure their teams responsible for fulfilling this function. Other companies have opted for a cross functional team that consists of a dedicated Open Source Compliance Officer who has access to various individuals and teams that contribute to the compliance effort without being part of a centralized team. In this paper, we examine the latter model of FOSS compliance team and discuss the roles and responsibilities of individuals and teams involved in the compliance process.
August 2010
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Establishing Free and Open Source Software Compliance Programs: Challenges and Solutions   Establishing Free and Open Source Software Compliance Programs: Challenges and Solutions
Author: Ibrahim Haddad (Ph.D.), The Linux Foundation
This white paper is a second in a series that focus on the practical aspects of ensuring free and open source software (FOSS) compliance in the enterprise. The first paper entitled “FOSS Compliance: The Basics You Must Know”, available from the Linux Foundation, provided a discussion on the multi-source development model, the need for compliance, objectives and benefits, the consequences of non- compliance, possible compliance failures, how to avoid them and lessons learned.
August 2010
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Free and Open Source Software Compliance: The Basics You Must Know   Free and Open Source Software Compliance: The Basics You Must Know
Author: Ibrahim Haddad (Ph.D.), The Linux Foundation
This white paper is a first in a series that will focus on the various practical aspects of ensuring free and open source software compliance in the enterprise. This paper provides basic discussion on the changing business environment moving to a multi-source development model, the objectives of compliance and the benefits resulting from having a successful compliance program and much more.
June 2010
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Open Compliance Program Information

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