Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Open hardware can have a guerilla ethos to it, if inventors so desire. Once
a design blueprint is open sourced, it becomes what's known as “prior art.”
Prior art, or previously published technical information about an invention,
makes it dificult for non-inventors to claim ownership to the idea and get a
patent for it.
The set of licenses being deined by the Open Hardware movement is in
its infancy, nowhere near the maturity of open source software. However, the
use of Open Hardware is increasing, thanks to a passionate community and
the vision and tenacity of two young women, Alicia Gibb and Ayah Bdeir. In
a community that's largely populated by men, Alicia and Ayah stand out as
leaders, technologists and entrepreneurs.
In an interview with
Make
magazine, Alicia described Open Hardware as
a catalyst to technological innovation.
I think open source hardware is the 21st century patent system . . .
Open source hardware also is about open sourcing innovation, but
also democratizing innovation, but does not come with 20 years of
exclusive rights. The benefit is that you have an entire community
contributing to your designs, innovating, and sharing their deriva-
tives to your product. It pushes the original designer to create a
better product and continue to improve it rather than lock it in a
20-year stalemate.
9
Open-source hardware might not be the solution for every kind of inven-
tion. Open-source philosophy works well for relatively complex products, like
software and electronics, where the original creator's expertise is still useful
after the source has been opened. Relatively few people can improve someone
else's complex circuit or algorithm, so the original designer usually still stays
in control of the project even after it is released.
A simpler invention, however, is too easily copied and the creator forgot-
ten. Its inventor likely won't be able to beneit from adding value if there's no
need for expert services—this is especially true for simple, elegant inventions
that are “obvious in hindsight.” I wonder whether this is why some of the
most vocal advocates of open source licenses are software developers and
people who invent complex electronic devices. Whereas people who invent
a new recipe for a material or a new mechanical device often continue to
rely on patents.
