Now all we need is the open hardware itself. Private manufacturers simply don't have any incentive for this. It has to be state or non-profit funded, but those have problems with attracting and retaining talent, as well as the existing IP issues. Any open hardware will likely face IP lawsuits and WTO sanctions.
Depending on your target market, open-sourcing your hardware makes a lot of sense.
I open-sourced my commercial USB oscilloscope design (https://github.com/EspoTek/Labrador) after doing a bit of research into boards targeted at electronics hobbyists and crowdfunded by individuals or small teams.
Invariably, a community didn't form around the closed-source boards and they died.
A lot of people asked me what I'm doing to protect my IP from being "stolen".
The most effective solution I've found so far is efficient logistics. I take advantage of 3PL companies in Shenzhen, as well as Amazon FBA in the US (and Europe soon) to make sure that it's easy for customers anywhere in the world to buy the product.
So far, I've sold close to 10k units and the the only clones I've seen were made by a student in Iran for personal use.
By using streamlined logistics services and marketing direct to consumer on Amazon, and also responsive tech support. There's no reason that Shenzhen clone houses should offer better service than the genuine product.
