Tesla Motors opens all it's patents for good faith use

[Itse]

A very interesting move by Tesla.

http://www.cnet.com/news/tesla-motors-offers-all-its-patents-for-good-faith-use/

Tesla Motors was created to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport. If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric vehicles, but then lay intellectual property landmines behind us to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that goal. Tesla will not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology.

When I started out with my first company, Zip2, I thought patents were a good thing and worked hard to obtain them. And maybe they were good long ago, but too often these days they serve merely to stifle progress, entrench the positions of giant corporations and enrich those in the legal profession, rather than the actual inventors. After Zip2, when I realized that receiving a patent really just meant that you bought a lottery ticket to a lawsuit, I avoided them whenever possible.

We believe that Tesla, other companies making electric cars, and the world would all benefit from a common, rapidly-evolving technology platform.

Technology leadership is not defined by patents, which history has repeatedly shown to be small protection indeed against a determined competitor, but rather by the ability of a company to attract and motivate the world’s most talented engineers. We believe that applying the open source philosophy to our patents will strengthen rather than diminish Tesla’s position in this regard.

[Ozy_Flame]

Tesla seems like it can do no wrong as of late.

[photon]

Man I want to own one.

[Bigtime]

I'd love to replace one of our two cars with a Tesla. That price tag though...

[MarchHare]

Maybe Elon Musk is really just being purely altruistic and wants to stick it to the patent trolls, but I suspect this is a calculated and shrewd business move.

In order for there to be wide-spread adoption of EV technology, there needs to be a common infrastructure platform (like charging stations). If every manufacturer of electric vehicles has a competing standard, they'll never catch on because consumers will worry that "their" model won't have sufficient support. One would think the big auto manufacturers have more power and clout to create a nationwide service network than Tesla does. If this move encourages every manufacturer to adopt their technology, though, then Tesla can compete on quality and price, not availability of supporting infrastructure.

[Muta]

What an absolutely noble thing to do. Didn't think my respect level for Musk could get any higher, and boy was I wrong.

This man is a new-age businessman, and I hope his actions catalyze other like-minded entrepreneurs into action that benefits the human race, as a whole, in the future.

Oil companies will hate this move, that's for sure.

[Sylvanfan]

There is a guy in St.Albert who has one, it pulled up behind me one day. Fantastic car, no doubt if I came across a bunch of money, I'd be getting one of those.

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

In order for there to be wide-spread adoption of EV technology, there needs to be a common infrastructure platform (like charging stations). If every manufacturer of electric vehicles has a competing standard, they'll never catch on because consumers will worry that "their" model won't have sufficient support.

Yup, bang on.

[polak]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Maybe Elon Musk is really just being purely altruistic and wants to stick it to the patent trolls, but I suspect this is a calculated and shrewd business move.

In order for there to be wide-spread adoption of EV technology, there needs to be a common infrastructure platform (like charging stations). If every manufacturer of electric vehicles has a competing standard, they'll never catch on because consumers will worry that "their" model won't have sufficient support. One would think the big auto manufacturers have more power and clout to create a nationwide service network than Tesla does. If this move encourages every manufacturer to adopt their technology, though, then Tesla can compete on quality and price, not availability of supporting infrastructure.

Classic Harvey Spector move.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Maybe Elon Musk is really just being purely altruistic and wants to stick it to the patent trolls, but I suspect this is a calculated and shrewd business move.

In order for there to be wide-spread adoption of EV technology, there needs to be a common infrastructure platform (like charging stations). If every manufacturer of electric vehicles has a competing standard, they'll never catch on because consumers will worry that "their" model won't have sufficient support. One would think the big auto manufacturers have more power and clout to create a nationwide service network than Tesla does. If this move encourages every manufacturer to adopt their technology, though, then Tesla can compete on quality and price, not availability of supporting infrastructure.

Can't it be both? Shrewd business AND something helps move the industry forward?

[GreenLantern]

Very cool move by Tesla. It is amazing what happens when something goes open source.

[sun]

Yep, Tesla is as much a power company as they are a car company. Doing some cool things, that's for sure.

[DoubleK]

Elon Musk is a boss.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Elon Musk is a boss.

He's literally the kind of guy that could have become a genuine Bond villain, but instead is using his money/skills for good.

[CaptainYooh]

Pretty admirable move by Tesla. I wrote a paper on Tesla's expansion into China for my Global Economics class and, while researching for it, learned a lot about its business model. Very impressive company. I regret not investing in it early.

Last year we've visited Tesla showroom in Miami South Beach and I sat in two of its models. I am 6' tall and I found it spacious enough for a guy my size. And the interior is simply too cool. Would love to own and drive one one day.

[octothorp]

Very interesting move. One of the first beneficiaries that came to mind to me was Local Motors, who crowd-source vehicle design. I remember reading that one of their next projects was going to be an electric vehicle, and the Tesla technology platform in the hands of the Local Motors design community could be a very interesting combination.

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

He's literally the kind of guy that could have become a genuine Bond villain, but instead is using his money/skills for good.

I was thinking Hank Scorpio myself.

[bizkitgto]

Wow, that's incredible. If he's telling the truth he could be paving the way for more socially responsible-type corporations that value profits AND social progress. It's very forward thinking, I hope he is the majority share-holder or at least has a board of director's that share his vision of a better future instead of the typical run-of-the-mill corporation that chases 'The Number' (quarterly profits).

[Nage Waza]

I know of several Teslas here in Calgary and hope to swap cars one of these summer weekends.

It is really hard to go back to gas once you drive electric.

[Winsor_Pilates]

What's the starting $ on one?
I see lots of them in Vancouver now; very nice looking car.