Open Source Hardware

May and Must

There are a number of requirements that creators must adhere to in order for their projects to be considered open source hardware.

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Your project MUST

  • Allow anyone to study, modify, distribute, make, and sell the hardware.

  • Provide publicly accessible design files and documentation (the source).

  • Clearly specify what portion of the design, if not all, is being released under the license.

  • Not imply that derivatives are manufactured, sold, warrantied, or otherwise sanctioned by the original designer.

  • Not use the trademarks of other companies without permission.

  • Not be released as non-commercial or no derivatives.

Your project MAY

  • Require attribution be given.

  • Use the open source hardware logo to signify their hardware follows the open source hardware definition.

  • Require derived works to carry a different name or version number from the original design.

  • Be copied directly or have derivitives created from it.

  • Require a viral license.