The term open source comes from computer software development and refers to
it not being proprietary. No one owns the IP, so it's not like the patent
system.
Most open source follow the General Programming License (GPL) that basically
stipulates that you can use Open source software, but not sell it. If you
modify it you have to make your modifications available to others under GPL.
I think most writes on the subject in the list refers to the community
development common in open source. (But not always. For instance IBM develop
a lot open source today.)
These communities work collectively on the development of some open source
software. Since there is IP owned, the community doesn't need to be
incorporated or driven by a formal organization.
It is seldom democratic however, but most often meritocratic, developers
with high prestige call the shots. For instance Linus Torwalds who lead the
development of Linux operating system had more to say than any newcomer
programmer.
There is an enormous power in loads of people coming together, working on a
issue the are passionate about. This is the reason many people are
interested in collaborative development, which may be a better term.
IF anyone hasn't mentioned it Christopher Alexander was working along these
lines, both with his pattern languages to enable "ordinary" people to design
buildings and with for instance the Oregon Experiment.
If you haven't looked at it, www.wikipedia.org is a great example of
collaborative development, were anyone is invited to add to the
encyclopedia. It may be a good starting point for studying Collaborative
Development or Design.
Best Regards,
Lars
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Lars Albinsson
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+ 46 (0) 70 592 70 45
Affiliations:
Maestro Management AB www.maestro.se
Calistoga Springs Research Institute www.calistoga.se
School of Business and Informatics
University College of Borås www.hb.se
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-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Från: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related
research in Design [mailto:[log in to unmask]] För Terence
Skickat: den 18 juni 2007 17:37
Till: [log in to unmask]
Ämne: Re: open source industrial design or architecture?
Hi Gunnar,
Just wondering, wasn't the original intention of the patent process very
similar to the intention of open source?
As I understand it, the idea was that innovative individuals and businesses
would publish the details of their innovations in a single central register
so that others could benefit from and advance the new knowledge into new
products. In exchange the innovators would gain limited IP protection in
exchange for that easy access to their IP by others.
Terry
-----Original Message-----
From: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related
research in Design [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Swanson,
Gunnar
Sent: Monday, 18 June 2007 9:12 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: open source industrial design or architecture?
>A machine made cooperatively by its users but depends on a part that is
patented
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