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by Santosh83 1966 days ago
Now all we need is the open hardware itself. Private manufacturers simply don't have any incentive for this. It has to be state or non-profit funded, but those have problems with attracting and retaining talent, as well as the existing IP issues. Any open hardware will likely face IP lawsuits and WTO sanctions.
2 comments
AussieWog93 1966 days ago
Depending on your target market, open-sourcing your hardware makes a lot of sense. I open-sourced my commercial USB oscilloscope design (https://github.com/EspoTek/Labrador) after doing a bit of research into boards targeted at electronics hobbyists and crowdfunded by individuals or small teams.

Invariably, a community didn't form around the closed-source boards and they died.

A lot of people asked me what I'm doing to protect my IP from being "stolen". The most effective solution I've found so far is efficient logistics. I take advantage of 3PL companies in Shenzhen, as well as Amazon FBA in the US (and Europe soon) to make sure that it's easy for customers anywhere in the world to buy the product.

So far, I've sold close to 10k units and the the only clones I've seen were made by a student in Iran for personal use.

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syedkarim 1966 days ago
How do you compete with factories offering these streamlined logistics services and marketing direct-to-consumer on Amazon?
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AussieWog93 1966 days ago
By using streamlined logistics services and marketing direct to consumer on Amazon, and also responsive tech support. There's no reason that Shenzhen clone houses should offer better service than the genuine product.
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Rochus 1966 days ago
There is a lot of open hardware, also a lot published by private companies.

See e.g.

https://ohwr.org/, https://opencores.org/

or https://github.com/westerndigitalcorporation/swerv_eh1_fpga https://github.com/westerndigitalcorporation/swerv_eh1

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MaxBarraclough 1966 days ago
What are their business incentives?
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AussieWog93 1966 days ago
For one, it's good PR. Linux nerds will also port and maintain your software for you, for free.

Of course, it means letting the competition see your secrets, which may or may not give them an actual advantage.

Both models make sense in certain circumstances.

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Rochus 1966 days ago
See e.g. https://blog.westerndigital.com/risc-v-swerv-core-open-sourc...
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