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OSHW: Difference between revisions
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This page hosts the current proposed Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Draft Definition. If you are looking for older versions, such as the widely endorsed draft 0.3, please visit them on [http://freedomdefined.org/OSHW_older_drafts this page]. | |||
''OSHW Draft Definition 0. | If you would like to propose changes to the definition by editing this page, please do so with extreme care and consideration; this draft definition has been crafted with the input of many individuals with diverse backgrounds and points of view. (And, please edit while signed in, not anonymously.) | ||
== Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Draft Definition version 0.4 == | |||
''OSHW Draft Definition 0.4 is based on the [http://opensource.org/docs/osd Open Source Definition] for Open Source Software and [http://freedomdefined.org/OSHW_older_drafts draft OSHW definition 0.3]. The definition is derived from the [http://www.opensource.org/docs/osd Open Source Definition], which was created by Bruce Perens and the Debian developers as the Debian Free Software Guidelines. Videos and Documentation of the Opening Hardware workshop which kicked off the below definition are available [http://www.eyebeam.org/projects/Opening-hardware here].'' | |||
''Please join the conversation about the definition [http://openhardwaresummit.org/forum here]'' | ''Please join the conversation about the definition [http://openhardwaresummit.org/forum here]'' | ||
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'''1. Documentation''' | '''1. Documentation''' | ||
The hardware must be released with documentation including 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 documentation for no more than a reasonable reproduction cost, preferably downloading via the Internet without charge. The documentation must include design files in the preferred | The hardware must be released with documentation including 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 documentation 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 example 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 program -- are not allowed as substitutes. The license may require that the design files are provided in fully-documented, open format(s). | ||
'''2. | '''2. Scope''' | ||
The documentation for the hardware must clearly specify what portion of the design, if not all, is being released under the license. For example, if a manufacturer releases the design for a development board that incorporates a proprietary integrated circuit. The license may restrict the bill of materials to components which are generic, open-source, or otherwise non-proprietary. | |||
'''3. Derived Works''' | '''3. Necessary Software''' | ||
If the hardware released under the license 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. | |||
b) The necessary software is released under an OSI-approved open source license. | |||
'''4. 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 hardware. The license shall allow for the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of products created from the design files or derivatives of the design files. | 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 hardware. The license shall allow for the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of products created from the design files or derivatives of the design files. | ||
''' | '''5. Free redistribution''' | ||
The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the project documentation as a component of an aggregate distribution containing designs from several different sources. 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. | The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the project documentation as a component of an aggregate distribution containing designs from several different sources. 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. | ||
''' | '''6. Attribution''' | ||
The license may require derived works to provide attribution to the original designer when distributing design files, manufactured products, and/or derivatives thereof. The license may also require derived works to carry a different name or version number from the original design. | The license may require derived works to provide attribution to the original designer when distributing design files, manufactured products, and/or derivatives thereof. The license may also require derived works to carry a different name or version number from the original design. | ||
''' | '''7. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups''' | ||
The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons. | The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons. | ||
''' | '''8. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor''' | ||
The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the hardware in a specific field of endeavor. For example, it | The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the hardware in a specific field of endeavor. For example, it must not restrict the hardware from being used in a business, or from being used in nuclear research. | ||
''' | '''9. Distribution of License''' | ||
The rights attached to the hardware must apply to all to whom the product or documentation is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties. | The rights attached to the hardware must apply to all to whom the product or documentation is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties. | ||
''' | '''10. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product''' | ||
The rights attached to the hardware must not depend on the hardware being part of a particular larger product. If the hardware is extracted from that product and used or distributed within the terms of the hardware license, all parties to whom the hardware is redistributed should have the same rights as those that are granted in conjunction with the original distribution. | The rights attached to the hardware must not depend on the hardware being part of a particular larger product. If the hardware is extracted from that product and used or distributed within the terms of the hardware license, all parties to whom the hardware is redistributed should have the same rights as those that are granted in conjunction with the original distribution. | ||
''' | '''11. License Must Not Restrict Other Hardware or Software''' | ||
The license must not place restrictions on other hardware or software that may be distributed or used with the licensed hardware. For example, the license must not insist that all other hardware sold at the same time be open source, nor that only open source software be used in conjunction with the hardware. | The license must not place restrictions on other hardware or software that may be distributed or used with the licensed hardware. For example, the license must not insist that all other hardware sold at the same time be open source, nor that only open source software be used in conjunction with the hardware. | ||
''' | '''12. License Must Be Technology-Neutral''' | ||
No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology or style of interface. | No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology or style of interface. | ||
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== Endorsements == | == Endorsements == | ||
OSHW Draft Definition 0. | This OSHW Draft Definition (0.4) is under active discussion and editing at the present time. Please do not endorse this definition, as it may still change. If you feel that the present version is "golden," and would like to endorse it as-is, please (1) move it to the [http://freedomdefined.org/OSHW_older_drafts old draft page] and endorse it there and (2) increment the version number as shown on this page (from 0.4 to 0.5, for example) so that others may continue making changes under the new version number. | ||
''Please join the conversation about the definition [http://openhardwaresummit.org/forum here]'' | ''Please join the conversation about the definition [http://openhardwaresummit.org/forum here]'' | ||
Revision as of 05:42, 23 September 2010
This page hosts the current proposed Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Draft Definition. If you are looking for older versions, such as the widely endorsed draft 0.3, please visit them on this page.
If you would like to propose changes to the definition by editing this page, please do so with extreme care and consideration; this draft definition has been crafted with the input of many individuals with diverse backgrounds and points of view. (And, please edit while signed in, not anonymously.)
Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Draft Definition version 0.4
OSHW Draft Definition 0.4 is based on the Open Source Definition for Open Source Software and draft OSHW definition 0.3. The definition is derived from the Open Source Definition, which was created by Bruce Perens and the Debian developers as the Debian Free Software Guidelines. Videos and Documentation of the Opening Hardware workshop which kicked off the below definition are available here. Please join the conversation about the definition here
Introduction
Open Source Hardware (OSHW) is a term for tangible artifacts -- machines, devices, or other physical things -- whose design has been released to the public in such a way that anyone can make, modify, distribute, and use those things. This definition is intended to help provide guidelines for the development and evaluation of licenses for Open Source Hardware.
It is important to note that hardware is different from software in that physical resources must always be committed for the creation of physical goods. Accordingly, persons or companies producing items ("products") under an OSHW license have an obligation not to imply that such products are manufactured, sold, warrantied, 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 following criteria:
1. Documentation
The hardware must be released with documentation including 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 documentation 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 example 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 program -- are not allowed as substitutes. The license may require that the design files are provided in fully-documented, open format(s).
2. Scope
The documentation for the hardware must clearly specify what portion of the design, if not all, is being released under the license. For example, if a manufacturer releases the design for a development board that incorporates a proprietary integrated circuit. The license may restrict the bill of materials to components which are generic, open-source, or otherwise non-proprietary.
3. Necessary Software
If the hardware released under the license 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.
b) The necessary software is released under an OSI-approved open source license.
4. 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 hardware. The license shall allow for the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of products created from the design files or derivatives of the design files.
5. Free redistribution
The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the project documentation as a component of an aggregate distribution containing designs from several different sources. 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.
6. Attribution
The license may require derived works to provide attribution to the original designer when distributing design files, manufactured products, and/or derivatives thereof. The license may also require derived works to carry a different name or version number from the original design.
7. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.
8. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the hardware in a specific field of endeavor. For example, it must not restrict the hardware from being used in a business, or from being used in nuclear research.
9. Distribution of License
The rights attached to the hardware must apply to all to whom the product or documentation is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties.
10. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product
The rights attached to the hardware must not depend on the hardware being part of a particular larger product. If the hardware is extracted from that product and used or distributed within the terms of the hardware license, all parties to whom the hardware is redistributed should have the same rights as those that are granted in conjunction with the original distribution.
11. License Must Not Restrict Other Hardware or Software
The license must not place restrictions on other hardware or software that may be distributed or used with the licensed hardware. For example, the license must not insist that all other hardware sold at the same time be open source, nor that only open source software be used in conjunction with the hardware.
12. License Must Be Technology-Neutral
No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology or style of interface.
Afterword
The signatories of this Open Source Hardware definition recognize that the open source movement represents only one way of sharing information. We encourage and support all forms of openness and collaboration, whether or not they fit this definition.
Endorsements
This OSHW Draft Definition (0.4) is under active discussion and editing at the present time. Please do not endorse this definition, as it may still change. If you feel that the present version is "golden," and would like to endorse it as-is, please (1) move it to the old draft page and endorse it there and (2) increment the version number as shown on this page (from 0.4 to 0.5, for example) so that others may continue making changes under the new version number.
Please join the conversation about the definition here