<html><head/><body><html><head></head><body>I see a few problems with that:<br>
<br>
* it implies that the files are done in advance of the product release. You really don't want to release half-baked files, even to escrow.<br>
<br>
* projects hit delays. You could say"we plan to release by x" and for various logistical reasons not be ready to release the product by x. Better to choose a goal than a date, e.g you'll release the files when the product goes on sale. That doesn't work for non- commercial members though.<br>
<br>
* who is responsible for maintaining the files in escrow? The oshwa board is made up of folks who both collaborate and compete with each other and other oshwa members. I trust them all because I know them personally. But is my experience universal? You're introducing a big potential conflict of unrest there.<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">Matt Maier <blueback09@gmail.com> wrote:<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
Oh hey now, THAT's a good idea! I'd never considered the concept of a source file escrow but it's perfect. An organization like OSHWA is already sitting between the project managers and the users, trying to provide benefit to both by enforcing ethical standards. The project manager would already have to submit their files to the OSHWA for review prior to OSHWA agreeing that the project is open and blessing the use of the mark. There's no reason the project manager couldn't submit the files for review but attach a publication date. If the OSHWA agrees the project is open, but the project manager never follows through with publishing the files, then the OSHWA would publish the files. That way they could ensure that the files are actually available for every single project they allowed to use the mark.<div>
<br /></div><div>In fact, that also helps resolve another issue. If the OSHWA offers to maintain a public repository of project files it would give project managers a reason to apply for the mark. That way they don't have to personally worry about keeping the files available. At the same time it would allow the OSHWA to vouch for the actual openness of the projects because it knows for a fact that the files are available. That would provide value to everyone.<br />
<div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
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<br />
Message: 2<br />
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 2013 17:09:07 -0500<br />
From: malcolm stanley <<a href="mailto:a.malcolm.stanley@gmail.com">a.malcolm.stanley@gmail.com</a>><br />
To: The Open Source Hardware Association Discussion List<br />
<<a href="mailto:discuss@lists.oshwa.org">discuss@lists.oshwa.org</a>><br />
Subject: Re: [Discuss] discuss Digest, Vol 10, Issue 6<br />
Message-ID:<br />
<<a href="mailto:CAD1c_NyQJCVXXSPMUtOnBAjAyu6dtLxaW1E1mTQNc0dHjjyPGA@mail.gmail.com">CAD1c_NyQJCVXXSPMUtOnBAjAyu6dtLxaW1E1mTQNc0dHjjyPGA@mail.gmail.com</a>><br />
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"<br />
<br />
If you are concerned that the pirates will take your source and enter your<br />
market before you can, which may be legitimate concern, we could always<br />
make it so you can always post to escrow somewhere, so it is clear that the<br />
files are open sourced in fact, even if the visibility of those files to<br />
the community is delayed for a specific period. An escrow facility of some<br />
kind, run by OSHWA or a benefactor on their behalf, might be an idea here.<br />
This would allow worry free deposit to the community prior to going to<br />
market, and allow the OSHWA to complete the transaction by providing their<br />
benefit in return.<br /></blockquote></div></div>
<p style="margin-top: 2.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; border-bottom: 1px solid #000"></p><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap:break-word; font-family: sans-serif; margin-top: 0px"><hr /><br />discuss mailing list<br />discuss@lists.oshwa.org<br /><a href="http://lists.oshwa.org/listinfo/discuss">http://lists.oshwa.org/listinfo/discuss</a><br /></pre></blockquote></div><br>
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