Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Open source hardware
The RepRap and Fab@Home projects are good examples of hardware technolo-
gies whose machine designs are freely shared. A small but growing number
of inventors are open sourcing their hardware designs, releasing them freely
under deined conditions of use. Similar in philosophy to open source soft-
ware, the Open Hardware movement is a response to the limitations of current
intellectual property laws.
At the time of this writing, Open Hardware licenses are in their infancy.
As the movement develops, the number and variety of available licenses will
likely proliferate. Similar to open-source software licenses, an open hardware
license gives other inventors permission to use and modify another inventor's
designs. Some licenses permit commercial use of a modiied design.
One goal of Open Hardware is to create a vibrant, pro-business ecosystem,
where machine designs can be freely and safely shared but in a somewhat
structured way. Many proponents of Open Hardware licensing models own or
work in a business. For many, their proits lie in the sale of enhanced versions
of open sourced designs or in service offerings.
The world of software has successfully balanced commercial software and
open source software for years. Open source software licenses offer hackers,
developers and companies a widely recognized, well-deined alternative to
patents, copyrights, and traditional commercial licenses. In fact, many soft-
ware tools are covered under a smorgasbord of open source software licenses.
In contrast, hardware designers have limited options. Patents are broadly
accepted. Yet not all inventors and small businesses who design circuit boards
or machines want the cost and legal complications that come with the patent
process. Nor do they particularly desire the legal right to prevent others from
using their invention.
If inventors choose to open source their electronic hardware design, they
make publicly available all the schematics (or a detailed description of needed
parts and software, drawings and “board” iles)—basically all the informa-
tion anybody would need to identically re-create the product or object. The
published information is made available under a license that dictates accept-
able use.
