Defining Open Source So lately I've seen some ruckus about open source, or rather the lack of it or how it's degraded. I'm sad to hear this, and I can't say I agree with all the negative comments I've seen. Anyways, I'm designing and will be releasing a 3D printer and would like it to satisfy people in terms of its "open sourcey-ness". Basically I'm asking, if you ran into a printer, and it was labeled as 'Open source", what would you want to see or have access to? Some things are obvious but there are less obvious points. Some people include using open source or at least freely available software to develop and design it. For example, some people wouldn't consider a printer designed in something like solidworks "open source" because the paywall creates a big barrier to even just view or edit the files. Any opinions are welcome, I'm bound to forget or overlook some things worth releasing when I release my printer. but I'd like to minimize those (and of course I'll release them as they come to light). Any thoughts on how to make the design more accessible and inviting in terms of the tools I use for the design (OpenSCAD at the moment so I can fully parametrize the design so inexperienced users don't need be good with CAD, just input a print bed diameter and it does everything else). https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793752#msg-793752 Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:05:56 -0500 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793927#msg-793927 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793927#msg-793927
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martinprice2004
If anyone would wish to keep the intellectual property of a design, one of the worst thngs to do would be to discuss it openly on an open source community and ask for contributions from others!

I didn't mean he wanted exclusive IP rights or anything, I meant he might want to keep some of the conditions of the license (i.e. share alike) attached to the design. Sorry if I caused some confusion there. I was also going to ask about what dc42 said just above. From what I understand GPL was written with the intent of being used for software and not hardware. I've heard people claiming that it both applied and that it doesn't in the case of hardware. GPL and other copyright licenses (i.e. creative commons often found on thingiverse and such) from what I'm aware don't legally apply to physical products like hardware. Don't know how exactly they apply to CAD files or the like though. Sometimes I feel like these sorts of things haven't really kept up with the times to cover new cases.

Can anyone clarify how exactly the Cern OHL works? I've read that protecting physical products such as hardware without a patent is a bit of a grey area, even releasing it into the public domain can be complicated. My ideal license is something that allows me to release the designs or files or whatever it may be, but in a way that no one else can patent or otherwise prevent me or others from using the design. I'm not concerned with attribution, share alike or policing how the designs are used. As long as I, and anyone else, can still freely use the designs I'm fine with it.]]> Trakyan Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 22:52:07 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793910#msg-793910 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793910#msg-793910 dc42 Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 19:17:08 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793909#msg-793909 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793909#msg-793909
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martinprice2004
many Reprap designs are released under the GNU General Public license
Not to be contrarian, but please everyone remember that the GPL usually has no meaning (legal or otherwise) when applied to a "design". There are many aspects of an inventive design that cannot be protected by the GPL and can only be protected by patent. Source]]> MattMoses Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 19:06:30 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793908#msg-793908 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793908#msg-793908
Neither SCARA nor DELTA type kinematics are new designs - I've used them in my first mechanical setups around 1990 -- end even then, found them described in even older mechanical books.

Here is one of my older "delta-ish" prototypes from 2007: [builders.reprap.org]

There are many "new" ideas filed for IP (and even granted!), which I've already seen as nearly same or pretty similar in old documents ...]]> VDX Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 18:44:12 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793907#msg-793907 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793907#msg-793907
Gus Simpson Development

This means that the design is in the public domain and therefore is not a closed design with reserved rights by the author. In addition contributions to the design were made by other forum members, so the design is not the sole work of Nicholas Seward as the development was in concert with others.

If anyone would wish to keep the intellectual property of a design, one of the worst thngs to do would be to discuss it openly on an open source community and ask for contributions from others!]]> martinprice2004 Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 18:41:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793902#msg-793902 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793902#msg-793902
I've got something I'm unclear about regarding the gpl license. I read somewhere that the share alike requirement was added in v3 of the license and wasn't there in v2. This is purely out of curiosity, not trying to sidestep anything. I was originally planning to release my design under a more liberal license but on second thought I don't think I have the right to do so since my printer is a derivative work with what I think are significant changes and improvements. But I still don't think I have the right to change the license and take away rights or conditions the original creator set. (GUS Simpson for those curious). I haven't been able to find out what version of the license it's released under though, the wiki page isn't specific.]]> Trakyan Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 18:12:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793899#msg-793899 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793899#msg-793899
This may seem like a small point but it can have big effects. Adrian Bowyer released the Darwin / Mendel designs under the GNU GPL so all derived works have a "Copy Left" aspect on them. This means that most of all the machines in the world our community builds and sells are GNU GPL. I believe Marlin and Repetier firmware is also covered in the same way. Arduino hardware is also open source, so you don't have to worry there either as its been previously released.

The License is pretty good and there is a quick guide to give you the basics here. I like it because it means people can make some cash from their effort, but not prevent others from improving / selling the designs.

GNU License]]> martinprice2004 Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 17:56:46 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793878#msg-793878 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793878#msg-793878
Basically what I'm looking for is have you ever seen an open source project and found yourself going 'I wish they included this' or looked at the documentation and found something wasn't covered well. Of course there's downright bad documentation but is there anything in particular that seems to be subpar more often than not?]]> Trakyan Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 15:30:07 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793874#msg-793874 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793874#msg-793874 Policy page on the wiki says

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Wiki Policy Page
Members of the RepRap community do not unanimously agree on the definition of Open Source Hardware. For this reason, a compromise "lowest common denominator" definition was put in place that defines open source as simply "comes with files sufficient to make a copy".

However, some people really do not like this definition. I do not think it is possible to have a situation where everyone is happy.

There are links to a number of interesting resources dealing with how to define open source down at the bottom of the policy page in the Relevant Information on External Sites section. If you have time, I recommend looking at them.]]> MattMoses Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 15:04:17 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793804#msg-793804 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793804#msg-793804
I've also heard mixed opinions on the non commercial license. I've heard some people say it's not truly open source because of that restriction. Personally I won't be attaching the non commercial clause to my design. If it's a successful design then I doubt the clause would stop anyone anyway, and I know foregoing the clause will make some people happy (I don't think anyone will be disappointed at least).]]> Trakyan Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 08:10:06 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793781#msg-793781 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793781#msg-793781
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Dust
Full firmware source (no closed source or otherwise licensed blobs or libs etc)

If the unit includes WiFi then FCC rules prohibit the part of the firmware that control wifi power etc. to be open source, because they don't want people tampering with it and breaking the regulations. So IMO a closed-source library for controlling the wifi hardware is acceptable. Otherwise, I am in full agreement.]]> dc42 Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 06:32:49 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793762#msg-793762 Re: Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793762#msg-793762
Full cad files, doesn't really matter in what (also full set of stl's if contains printed parts)
Full firmware source (no closed source or otherwise licensed blobs or libs etc)
Full electronics design files, gerbers + original cad
Full BOM, with references for obscure parts

Ie enough information for a individual to be able to make one of their own from scratch and be able to edit and modify it as desired (presuming they have the skills and the applications)
related note. Can be Non Commercial just means your not to make it on mass for profit... that's for the designer/owners. Your still allowed to make your own, if your so inclined]]> Dust Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 04:52:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793752#msg-793752 Defining Open Source https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,793752,793752#msg-793752
Anyways, I'm designing and will be releasing a 3D printer and would like it to satisfy people in terms of its "open sourcey-ness". Basically I'm asking, if you ran into a printer, and it was labeled as 'Open source", what would you want to see or have access to? Some things are obvious but there are less obvious points. Some people include using open source or at least freely available software to develop and design it. For example, some people wouldn't consider a printer designed in something like solidworks "open source" because the paywall creates a big barrier to even just view or edit the files.

Any opinions are welcome, I'm bound to forget or overlook some things worth releasing when I release my printer. but I'd like to minimize those (and of course I'll release them as they come to light). Any thoughts on how to make the design more accessible and inviting in terms of the tools I use for the design (OpenSCAD at the moment so I can fully parametrize the design so inexperienced users don't need be good with CAD, just input a print bed diameter and it does everything else).]]> Trakyan Reprappers Thu, 26 Oct 2017 03:22:02 -0400