Panasonic Joins Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation merged late last year with the Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF), of which Panasonic was a founder. CELF members were grandfathered into The Linux Foundation at the Silver level. With work on embedded Linux and open compliance accelerating, Panasonic chose to increase its level of work and commitment to The Linux Foundation at the Gold level of membership.

Gold membership is the second-highest corporate membership tier at The Linux Foundation. China Mobile was the last member to join at the Gold level just last November.

“For more than 90 years, we’ve been committed to pushing the limits of innovation in consumer electronics,” said Kazuo Kajimoto, Director, System Engineering Center, Panasonic. “The rise of Linux in our market gives us new opportunities to push those limits. By joining The Linux Foundation, we will be able to work directly with the people and companies who can help us maximize this technology for next-generation devices and technologies.”

Panasonic will participate in embedded Linux initiatives, such as the Consumer Electronics (CE) Workgroup (the successor of CE Linux Forum) and the Yocto Project, and will attend the Embedded Linux Conference in April. It will also participate in the Open Compliance Program, as well as collaborate with other companies at the Linux Foundation Legal Summit(s).

“Panasonic’s increasing commitment to Linux is certainly another representation of how important the Linux operating system has become in the consumer electronics market,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director at The Linux Foundation. “Panasonic will provide importance perspectives on how embedded Linux and compliance work should mature in the months and years ahead.”

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