Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
tion to make it clear that such products are not manufactured, sold, covered un-
der warranty, or otherwise sanctioned by the original designer and also not to
make use of any trademarks owned by the original designer.
The distribution terms of Open Source Hardware must comply with the fol-
lowing criteria:
Documentation:
The hardware must be released with documentation in-
cluding design files, and must allow modification and distribution of the
design files. Where documentation is not furnished with the physical
product, there must be a well-publicized means of obtaining this docu-
mentation for no more than a reasonable reproduction cost, preferably
downloading via the Internet without charge. The documentation must
include design files in the preferred format for making changes, for ex-
ample the native file format of a CAD program. Deliberately obfuscated
design files are not allowed. Intermediate forms analogous to compiled
computer code—such as printer-ready copper artwork from a CAD pro-
gram—are not allowed as substitutes. The license may require that the
design files are provided in fully-documented, open format(s).
portion of the design, if not all, is being released under the license.
Necessary Software:
If the licensed design requires software, embedded
or otherwise, to operate properly and fulfill its essential functions, then
the license may require that one of the following conditions are met: (a)
The interfaces are sufficiently documented such that it could reasonably
be considered straightforward to write open source software that allows
the device to operate properly and fulfill its essential functions. For ex-
ample, this may include the use of detailed signal timing diagrams or
pseudocode to clearly illustrate the interface in operation. (b) The neces-
sary software is released under an OSI-approved open source license.
Derived Works:
The license shall allow modifications and derived
works, and shall allow them to be distributed under the same terms as
the license of the original work. The license shall allow for the manufac-
ture, sale, distribution, and use of products created from the design files,
the design files themselves, and derivatives thereof.
Free Redistribution:
The license shall not restrict any party from
selling or giving away the project documentation. The license shall not
require a royalty or other fee for such sale. The license shall not require
any royalty or fee related to the sale of derived works.
