Open Source Hardware and Software Licensing – Part I

In an attempt to control and/or reduce IT costs many entities have turned to open source development as a preferred alternative method for constructing new products. Open source products can be described as the practices in the development process promoting access to root materials of a forecasted result. Typically, the open source development process removes restrictions on root material distribution and utilization to produce the desired outcome. Most open source licenses allow the source material to be redistributed, without restriction, under the same terms of the original agreement when development work is sub-contracted to a third party. In contrast, proprietary products are licensed under the exclusive legal right of its owner and generally remiss of transferability.