The Linux Mark Institute (LMI) is an organization which administers the Linux trademark on behalf of Linus Torvalds for computer Softwarewhich includes the Linux kernel, computer hardware utilizing Linux-based software, and for services associated with the implementation and documentation of Linux-based products.

The Linux trademark is owned by Linus Torvalds in the U.S., Germany, the European Community, and Japan. In the U.S., the mark is registered (SN: 1916230) for Computer operating system software to facilitate computer use and operation. The assignment of the trademark to Torvalds occurred after an attorney, one William R. Della Croce, Jr, in 1996 began sending letters to various Linux distributors claiming to own the Linux trademark and demanding royalties. The distributors rapidly pooled resources, appealed against the original trademark assignment and had it reassigned to Linus Torvalds.

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