Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Foundation/Consortium Model
The foundation model is something we know from the open source software world. With
this approach, the administration of the product is handled by a (nonprofit) foundation.
Members of this foundation are different companies, public institutions, and private per-
sons who have an interest in using the product and the advantages that come from its being
open source. Different models for foundations exist, but in most cases each member pays
fees for the common infrastructure and contributes to the development process. Companies
hire and pay developers to work full time on the project. Foundations may also generate
standards, and charge members to use the standard. Finally, some foundations are nonprofit
organizations that receive grant funding for their projects, such as Open Source Ecology.
The consortium model is a lot like the foundation model, except that the consortium
can be a for-profit entity. There may be fewer members; indeed, the consortium may po-
tentially serve only large companies. To use this approach, you need to have the right
product and a lot of potential stakeholders. You also need a good development model, a
governance model, a suitable license and IP model, and a maintenance and support model.
If you are thinking about pursuing a consortium model, a good starting point for research
could be open source software foundations such as the Eclipse Foundation and the Docu-
ment Foundation.
Selling the Service Using OSHW
Making money from open source hardware does not necessarily mean selling the hardware
itself.Youcanalsosellwhatyouareproducingwiththathardware.Forexample,youmight
sell 3D prints rather than your open source printer. You might sell energy, rather than the
open source power plant you use to create it. You might sell transportation, rather than the
technology you use to provide that service. You might sell a data service, rather than the
hardware you use to collect the data. You might repair open source garbage disposals as
your revenue stream, rather than manufacturing or selling those products.
If your infrastructure and your machines are open source, you can make the advantages
of open source work for you to create a better and cheaper service with them. Marcin Jak-
ubowski, for example, started Open Source Ecology because his tractor broke and he
needed a new one for his farming operation but could not afford to buy one.
It is likely that we will have more discussions in the future about open source hardware
for public service infrastructure. Think of the democratic value the community and society
will attach to it. It should become more difficult to justify why our police cars, power
plants, street lightning, and water treatment plants are not open source if there are open
source solutions available to meet these needs.
