News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on When Open Becomes Opaque: The Changing Face of Open-Source Hardware Companies. Parent comment

Re:When Open Becomes Opaque: The Changing Face of Open-Sourc... by disintegore on Wednesday July 19, 2023 @05:00PM (#36793305)
There's something I'm just not getting with Prusa's justification. With open hardware, anyone can take your designs and run with them. Not just Chinese companies with zero regard for IP law. There is no IP to have regard for. Mercantilist policies in China should affect all western companies in that market more or less the same. I am not seeing how relicensing will make Prusa3D's business more viable.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:When Open Becomes Opaque: The Changing Face of Open-Sourc... by karurosu on Wednesday July 19, 2023 @07:12PM (#36794818)
The problem is not stealing the design, the problem is stealing the design, getting a patent based on it then suing you. Even if its obviously a bogus patent the cost and time required to fight it off can kill your company.
[ Parent | on HN ]