Novell Executive Vice President Jeff Jaffe said it is "increasingly obvious" that software patents are not a meaningful measure of innovation. He said his company believes that reforming the system is "necessary to promote software innovation going forward."

EFF and Novell, which holds more than 500 patents, plan to lobby governments and national and international organizations to develop policies around patents designed to promote innovation. A key area of focus will be the World Intellectual Property Organization, where United Nations member nations meet to coordinate IP issues.

In addition, Novell will lend a hand to EFF's ongoing "Patent Busting" project, which is designed to attack patents that impose heavy burdens on software developers and Internet. EFF Executive Director Shari Steele said in a press release that she hoped Novell's example encourages other vendors to join the effort.