It’s hard to escape the inefficiencies of the patent world. The amount of patent litigation has drastically increased, specifically in technologies based in computer software. Further, patent wars are extending beyond large corporations to startups and individual developers. Those in the open source world are encountering two options: fly under the radar and hope to avoid lawsuits or license often times dubious patented technology. Now, is the time to introduce another option and protect your freedom to operate. The Linux Defenders program, supported by Open Invention Network, sets to provide healthy avenues for the Linux community to invent. The goal is to give innovators the leverage to proactively limit the resources that can be used by trolls and those with overly broad and vague patents. In this talk, we will present practical community-based approach that makes a difference.