What is ethical when it comes to tinkering with patent protected Hardware?
Posted by Sam at 10:39 AM
What is ethical when it comes to tinkering with patent protected hardware? Is it different for hardware than it is for software? This article introduces Adafruit which is a company that sells DIY electronic kits and open source software. They are searching for programmers capable of hacking the new Microsoft Kinect device. Adafruit is offering a $2,000 reward to programmers that can produce drivers that will unlock the devices RGB camera, a depth-sensor, four microphones and motorized pivot. Microsoft is not supporting their efforts to unlock the device and has mentioned the possibility of a lawsuit. The situation is similar to the launch of Linux, but on a much smaller scale. Software giant Microsoft is trying to control the uses of its product, but creative programmers see potential for more functionality.
Microsoft fosters a containment culture. I think that if Microsoft allowed their customers to modify their hardware products they would see growth in sales. They need to capitalize on the modifications that their users are going to make regardless of their support.
I read an article yesterday about an undercover officer who videotaped a college student modifying an Xbox 360. The student was charging $60 for a modification on the Xbox that would allow you to download old school games to the hard drive. He is facing up to 10 years in prison. I think that something is very wrong with our laws if they are going to sentence a creative college student to 10 years in prison for making the Xbox better than it was.
Great post, Sam! Users are going to tinker with products wether firms like it or not. Firms are no longer in control but are trying to hold on to control via legal enforcement. We see the same issues arising in the music industry. Fortunately, changes to intellectual property laws are underfoot and initiatives like the Stanford Center for Internet and Society have begun to protect the rights of users. So, there is a silver lining under the current cloudy sky.
I'm still struggling with which side I'm on. Of course users are going to tinker. It's inevitable. However, I'm still getting used to the fact that it may eventually be ok to take others' ideas and make money off of them. I don't think it's right to put that kid in prison at all. But I don't think it's right that he took someone's idea at Microsoft and started to make money off of it. Hhhmmm...?
I agree with you Kelli. In the past it has been suggested that the success of competition and innovation comes from knowing that your ideas will be protected. Where is the motivation to innovate without this protection?