This document discusses Panasonic's approach to open source software (OSS) compliance over four stages: 1) Initial stage from 2000-2005 when Panasonic first began incorporating Linux and developed initial guidelines. 2) Build & stable stage from 2006-2014 when Panasonic expanded Linux use and built out their OSS compliance process. 3) Stagnation stage from 2015-2017 when engagement decreased. 4) Rebuild stage from 2018-present where Panasonic renewed focus through improved communication, continued process improvements, and sustainability efforts. The key is coordination between engineering and legal with collaboration beyond Panasonic.

1. 1
Open Source Software
compliance
in Panasonic
Sep 27th, 2019
Panasonic Corporation
Shinsuke Kato
kato.shinsuke@jp.panasonic.com

2. 2
Who am I?
• I was a Software Engineer for
Panasonic Corporation, where I
helped Panasonic R&D improve
Linux for use in Panasonic's
products. (Linux, Android)
• I have been working with Linux and OSS
compliance in Panasonic for over 15 years.
• For OSS compliance
– I have presented seminars on OSS compliance in
Panasonic.
– I provide advice on OSS compliance.

3. OSS Compliance in Panasonic
• Initial stage ( 2000 ~ 2005 )
• Build & Stable ( 2006 ~ 2014 )
• Stagnation stage ( 2015 ~ 2017 )
• Rebuild stage ( 2018 ~ )
33

4. OSS Compliance activity
in Panasonic
Initial Stage
( 2000 ~ 2005 )
44

5. 5
Development of Linux OS products
Development of products incorporating
Linux OS since 200X
“Guidelines for the development and use
of Linux based products”
( First edition March 2002 )
Based on the advice from
“outside expert”

6. 6
The first step of OSS Compliance Activity
・ Set up software download site
・ Check description of Instruction Manuals
・ Display GPL/LGPL’s terms
in certain Products
Engineers and Legal people read license terms
and determine what we should do “one by one”
based on heated discussion.

7. OSS Compliance activity
in Panasonic
Build & Stable
( 2006 ~ 2014 )
77

8. Change in OSS circumstances
88

9. 9
Linux Devices In Panasonic
TOUGHPAD
Smart
Phone
BizPad
Communication
viewerIn-Flight Entertainment
Blu-ray Disc/DVD Recorder
Digital Video Camera
Home Theater
Wearable Camera
It was difficult to do OSS compliance one by one
Smart
TV Box

10. Change in OSS circumstances
• Android
10
• Expansion of “OSS Project”

11. Build
the OSS compliance
process
1111

12. Quick Introduction of Panasonic
A Better Life, A Better World
B C
DA
Personal care
Healthcare
Housing
industry
Community
Aviation
Automobiles
Your Home
Your
Community
Your
Journey
Your Car
CloudCloud
Your
Business
Consumer
Electronics
Panasonic Corporation
Distribution
Retailing
12

13. Quick Introduction of Panasonic
A Better Life, A Better World
Personal care
Healthcare
Housing
industry
Community
Aviation
Automobiles
Your Home
Your
Community
Your
Journey
Your Car
CloudCloud
Your
Business
Consumer
Electronics
Panasonic Corporation
Distribution
Retailing
Each company has a responsibility to their business.
Business transaction : B2B, B2C, B2B2C
13
B C
DA

14. Panasonic
Corporation
14
Process (as a
recommended one)
IP & LegalEngineer
EngineersEngineers
Engineers
Engineers
DA
B C

15. Panasonic
Corporation
15
Process (as a
recommended one)
IP & LegalEngineer
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
B C
DA

16. 16
Software Management Committee
Established on January 2012 to take coordinated
actions as to management of major software
(including OSS)
１. Committee consists of
representatives of Engineers, IP and Legal
2. Leader ＜Corporate Level ＞
Director (Software Promotion Officer)
3. Committee’s role ＜Business Division Level＞
① Promote process to check compliance
② Consulting activities

17. Software Management
Committee
Working Group
Samples
1717

18. a boilerplate contract
• when make a contract with 3rd
party, write the condition to
use OSS
18

19. the list of OSS licenses
• make the list about the main OSS
licenses (more than 200)
the license describe about
– the copyright notice?
– the distribution of the source code?
– etc.
19

20. OSS check list
• the sample of OSS check list
– Business Divisions modify and use
20
• the timing to use
– when product planning
– start to develop
– under development
– before the release
Put into the process better suited for
the each field of development

21. OSS Compliance activity
in Panasonic
Stagnation Stage
( 2015 ~ 2017 )
2121

22. Panasonic
Corporation
22
Process (as a
recommended one)
IP & LegalEngineer
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
B C
DA

23. Panasonic
Corporation
23
Process (as a
recommended one)
IP & LegalEngineer
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
B C
DA

24. Panasonic
Corporation
24
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
B C
DA
•To know was decreasing
•To share was decreasing
•To act was decreasing

25. OSS Compliance activity
in Panasonic
Rebuild Stage
( 2018 ~ )
2525

26. Panasonic
Corporation
26
IP & LegalEngineer
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
IP & LegalEngineer
Process
B C
DA

27. • To communicate with outside
– attend to the OSS conference
– be a platinum member of OpenChain
project
– collaborate with OSS comunity
• To continue
– appeal our activity to the management
regularly
• issue and solution
• organization and person
– improve the activity
• process, tools, organization
2727

28. Looking back
• think sustainability
– recognized by the management
– have a budget
– improve by ourselves
• set and take over
– person is important
– Engineer, Legal, IP, and more
• act with the development for the OSS
– Now, not done
2828

29. 29
Conclusion
The important factors for OSS Compliance:
・ Coordination between Engineering Dept.
And Legal Dept.
But, OSS Compliance is a still tough topic for a
single company.
Collaboration with other companies and
interested parties is important.

30. 30
Thank you !
e-mail address
kato.shinsuke@jp.panasonic.com