Note that such "free licensing" for patents generally includes the stipulation that you waive your license if you engage in any patent suit against the patent-holding company - for example, the Red Hat promise includes the words:
"Our Promise does not extend to any party who institutes patent litigation against Red Hat..."
The whole point is to free up your patent collection so anyone can use it, without devaluing it as ammunition to defend yourself from other patent claims.
"Our Promise does not extend to any party who institutes patent litigation against Red Hat..."
The whole point is to free up your patent collection so anyone can use it, without devaluing it as ammunition to defend yourself from other patent claims.