EEVblog #333 - Unwritten Rules of Open Source Hardware

Dave lists the 5 unwritten rules of Open Source Hardware (OSHW), that have essentially been around since the very early electronics magazine project days.
These are over an above the legal obligations under whatever license is used.

#1 Don't clone. Innovate.
#2 If you sell it, you support it.
#3 Consider giving the original author a cut
#4 Respect the wishes of the original author
#5 Don't use the original authors name or project name (but do credit them)

EEVblog Main Web Site:
EEVblog Amazon Store:
Donations:
Projects:
Electronics Info Wiki:

[EEVblog]

I've been openly publishing my designs for the last 20 years, thanks.

[McGeias]

I'm not an EE. Which is why I so enjoyed your first 200 or so vids man. Electronics was a hobby mostly for me. I'm an electrician, electromechanical technician, programmer for PLCs, industrial robots, and a build/tech of industrial machinery, automation processes and cnc machines. I now run my own prototype shop from a small warehouse/garage and tinker with classic motorcycles on the side. Your light hearted fun outlook on the world of EE was great and helped me expand into a field I only swam

[RealationGames]

Damn, I think Chinese cloners' karma is off the scale already.

[EEVblog]

They don't want protectionism, they just want people to advance the art. The clone PC industry advanced the art because it went ahead of IBM in terms speed, expansion, better graphics and sound etc.

[EEVblog]

My heart and wallet is close to Makerbot?? Perhaps you missed the videos I have done showing some big problems with the Makerbot? When it comes to the Tangibot, I actually support the guy, he's allowed to do whatever he wants, and at least he's doing something, unlike most. I'm just disappointed that he didn't make any changes or improvements, I think that's a bit lame.

[seb]

All this talk of open source hardware and 3D printing has driven me to build my own. Just ordered parts for a Reprap Pursa for around $500 (ouch!). Thank you Dave and OSHW for the inspiration and ability to be able to attempt such wonders.

[EEVblog]

Not many people like my voice and style of delivery, so thanks for the support!

[EEVblog]

When did I ever say anyone who disagrees with me on this is a dick? Please cite.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I think the OSHW people are a little too prescriptive about making everything available. I think it would be a reasonable position to release software and schematics only, so anyone copying would need to do some work themselves and hopefully enhance in the process. Releasing all PCB files just makes it easy for the cloners, who add no value, whilst only adding a small benefit for others, and I think the requirement to do this deters some people from making projects Open Source at all.

[EEVblog]

We talked about the Tangibot on today's AmpHour radio show.

[jan.tichavsky]

Another thing, the Raspberry Pi foundation is non-profit but still makes enough to sustain themselves. They said multiple times that they will be happy if someone copies their design and tries to sell it or adapt it for netbook or something else. They welcome any reuse or redesign, or just making product with original Raspberry Pi as part of that. I think Adafruit said it similarly, if someone can make their stuff and sell cheaper, go for it. Nobody expects some profit cut for original designer.

[patrckbenz]

Hi Dave,
I recently found you here on youtube and from what I watched 'til now (which isn't a small number of vids for this period of time for me) I felt more and more something breeding inside of me. But now, that I found your comment here, I can't hold to shout out to the world:

Not many people like your voice and style of delivery? WTF?!
YOU ARE FANTASTIC! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND SHARED KNOWLEDGE!!!

;)

[DeeegerD]

If I put out something to open source and you copied it exactly - well that's a compliment - go ahead.  If you can improve it - great too.  You can learn by copying - even exactly.  Dave you're full of it this time. ;)

[lialus]

I have been watching your blog all week and I enjoy your style of delivery, don't be so hard on yourself. But as an aside, this is a fantastic blog and with excellent videos.

[EEVblog]

I agree, cheaper is an improvement. But cheaper by simply doing a 100% clone in every way shape and form, and simply getting it made in China instead of the US, is just kinda lame. Is adding some value in some form of design improvement too much to ask?

[ATIFAMANKHAN]

Nice Voice Dave and way of delivery quite natural. You are absolutely right. I agree with you.

[bobhaugen]

You come off like a real live person. And you are very clear. If anybody dislikes your voice or delivery, they are wrong.

[henke]

Trademarks don't need to be registered to be protected. It's just much easier to deal with violators if you registered it.

[JohnnyCantTube]

Ethics would be a better term than 'rules'. Eventually, the cloners will fade away.

[PrimalEdge]

great info David! I think everything said here was valid and makes sense. I saw a few comments using music as a comparison. What was explained here still applies, in music all new songs are inspired by and derived from what previous artists have done. That's how, music, technology, and life, evolve. And like the message in this video conveys: it may not be a law, but it is a rule and should be respected and followed!