Open Source Hardware is hardware that keeps its designs available in a way similar to the open source in software.

Open Source Hardware is used as an alternative to the related and perhaps broader term of Open Hardware. It is in the process of being replaced more and more by the successor movement, i.e. Open Design.

Example

"OpenSparc is Sun's attempt to bring open-source thinking and cooperation into the realm of hardware design:

Goals of the OpenSPARC Initiative

To significantly increase participation in processor architecture development and application design by making cutting-edge hardware IP freely available.

To eliminate barriers to the next big build-out of the Internet.

To improve collaboration and cooperation among hardware designers.

To enable community members to build on proven technology at a markedly lower cost.

To encourage innovation.

To foster bringing bold new products to market."

(http://www.smartmobs.com/archive/2006/02/15/opensparc_ope.html)

OpenSparc is at http://opensparc.sunsource.net/nonav/index.html

More Information

A business model for open source hardware, at http://pages.nyu.edu/~gmp216/papers/bmfosh-1.0.html

Open Source Hardware

Example

More Information

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