Yesterday HK released a video about their new 433Mhz LRS modules.
And i shocked. Because it is unauthorized copy of my OpenLRS !
OpenLRS is an Opensource RC and i'm the developer of that system.
Stop the video on 1:08 and check the receiver.
And check the pinout or something. http://www.flytron.com/openlrs/146-openlrs-receiver-v2.html
Only the difference is 6 pin ICSP. We don't need that because of our production procedure.
Now the question is "What can i do?"
If i cant find an answer about that, i will stop to designing open source hardware.
Comments
@Max,
Yes this is another important point. I guess i have to stop supporting the OpenLRS project but they do. Because I have only 50 customers but will be 1000+ OpenLRS user after HK release.
Good news for me:
One of the customers is the copier of the HK. Now i have only 49 customer. Less support job for me :)))
The other thing that sucks is that poor Melih will now potentially have to answer support queries for free to customers who spent their money elsewhere... Hell no, let them deal with HK's efficient support ;)
Bring on futaba modules!
Just like the RCTimer APM clone, nothing against the rules that I can see. The fact others will steal poorly/unprotected work for financial gain can't be much of a surprise!
Hobbyking is not first one to clone OpenLRS, these prototypes exist from May 2012. I did some improvements to Tx module, made it JR compatible. I also plan to change it to 868Mhz and then sell few pieces as kit.
https://picasaweb.google.com/m.kolinsky/KolinSRCDev
This is good for OpenLRS project, there will be more users, maybe new firmwares.
Bad for Melih, he will loose profit. If they will not include copyright on board as I did, sue them.
People will buy hobbyking units because they are JR modules, who wants hitec/futaba?
Another discussion about same case in RC Groups
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1778553&page=3
From my side, I'm designing open source projects to sharing the how to with community. Yes I'm not protecting them with hard licenses but I didn't understand "if you don't do that they have rights to doing it" like approaches.
Yes they have but we are not lawyers, are you?
In this case, they are copying all RX layout and name of the project. But as you know they will not open a support forums, google code pages, new how to or share new firmware about it. Who will? Where is the profit of community? Will we applaud them because of cheaper production ?
@Earl, last year I sold only ~50 units Tx and 100 units Rx of OpenLRS. But I redesigned it 4 times and only PCB cost is more than 4000$. As you see , OpenLRS is not my favorite money maker project, just I like it :)))
this is why this blog post not about money. This is a way to learn the real approaches of community about clones.
Why don't you just ask HK for a reasonable payment for your efforts. Maybe they will read the DiyDrones forum and consider giving you something.
Earl
That's what unemployment benefits are for.
It's funny they wrote the words OpenLRS on it. Maybe they didn't know what that meant. In my opinion they should have at least contacted you and also posted a link to the original designer. Whether legally bound to or not they should have. I guess immitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
I haven't used your products but I hope you don't abandon open source because of this set back. When doing open source I firmly believe you're raising on the bar on the general understanding of electronics & software. as corny as it sounds, it's a contribution to humankind.
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