Samsung Gets Serious About Linux with $500K Investment

06.06.2012
It's been clear for some time that has a strong interest in Linux; but on Tuesday, the company put its money where its mouth is and made the $500,000 annual investment necessary to become a platinum member of the Linux Foundation.

In return, Samsung gains a seat on the foundation's board of directors and joins six other corporate investors at this highest membership level. The nonprofit consortium's other platinum members are Fujitsu, , Intel, NEC, Qualcomm, and . Samsung was previously a silver sponsor.

"The Linux Foundation is an important organization," said WonJoo Park, vice president for Samsung Electronics, in the official . “It brings the right people and resources together to help companies and developers advance Linux for everyone.

"We're looking forward to increasing collaboration and support for our growing portfolio of Linux-based devices and to making contributions that advance Linux for all," Park added.

Samsung uses across multiple product lines. Its popular series, for example, relies on Linux-based Android, while other consumer electronics products, such as TVs and home appliances, rely on Linux in other forms.