Washington - Amid criticism from certain members of the academic community, educational software firm Blackboard pledged on Thursday that it will not use its patents to block educational institutions from developing their own open source e-learning systems.

However, the Associated Press reported that Blackboard has not given up its rights to sue other software firms that it believes are violating its patent, noting that the company's lawsuit continues against competitor Desire2Learn.

A year ago, Blackboard was awarded a patent for some of the generalized features of online course management systems, a move the AP said created an "angry backlash from some members of the academic computing community, who called it an attempt to own the very idea of online learning."

On Thursday, the company released its "Blackboard Patent Pledge" that states that it will not attempt to assert its patents against the use of open source software or home-grown course management systems, as long as they are not bundled with proprietary software.

"As a member of the e-Learning community, we are committed to the open exchange of ideas, collaboration and innovation," said Blackboard president and CEO Michael Chasen.

Related Links:
http://www.blackboard.com/patent/patentpress_013107.htm
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070201/e_learning_dispute.html?.v=2 (AP)
http://www.blackboard.com/company/press/release.aspx?id=956876