[Irtalk] Open access in motor industry

[Smith, Ina <ismith@sun.ac.za>]

Dear Colleagues

Just something interesting I picked up - even the motor industry is going open access/open source. Why? Because openness stimulates innovation, and help find solutions to problems - problems we are facing because of a result of restricted access ... Since research was not previously openly accessible, research results were hidden, and so were the consequences .... Open access leads to better educated people, taking better and informed decisions. Previously - under a subscription only model - information was restricted, not allowing the man on the street and industry to become educated and informed about decisions.

This example was given lots of exposure in the media .... Maybe something SA should also investigate doing - opening patents, following an investigation first?

http://venturebeat.com/2014/06/12/tesla-motors-please-infringe-on-our-patents-for-the-greater-good/
Tesla Motors: Please infringe on our patents for the greater good

"In a nutshell, I think that Elon has set a great example for the rest of the industry and everyone should follow," Vivek Wadhwa, a fellow at Stanford University's Rock Center for Corporate Governance, told VentureBeat.

"Patents have become a destructive force - they are line nuclear weapons and no one wins. In fast growing technologies such as software and hardware sensors - which form the basis of much of today's tech revolution - the best defense is speed to market and rapid evolution. Patents cause companies to stay put and defend existing turf - they take away from innovation. They need to be abolished completely, but in the meantime, it is best for technology companies to declare a truce as Elon just did, and then disarm."

Kind regards
Ina

Ina Smith
Open Scholarship Manager | Stellenbosch University | Private Bag X5036, 7599 | South Africa
Open Access | SUNScholar<http://scholar.sun.ac.za/> | SUNJournals<http://library.sun.ac.za/English/services/az/oa/Pages/sunjournals.aspx> | SUNConferences<http://library.sun.ac.za/Afrikaans/services/az/oa/Pages/sunconferences.aspx> | E-mail: ismith at sun.ac.za<mailto:ismith at sun.ac.za> | Tel:  +27 21 808 9139 | Skype: smith.ina | Office hours: Mo-Fr: 08h00-16h30
Ooptoegang Wetenskaplike Kommunikasie Bestuurder | Universiteit Stellenbosch | Privaatsak X5036, 7599 | Suid-Afrika
Oop Toegang | SUNScholar<http://scholar.sun.ac.za/>  | SUNJournals<http://library.sun.ac.za/English/services/az/oa/Pages/sunjournals.aspx> | SUNConferences<http://library.sun.ac.za/Afrikaans/services/az/oa/Pages/sunconferences.aspx> | E-pos: ismith at sun.ac.za<mailto:ismith at sun.ac.za> | Tel:  +27 21 808 9139 | Skype: smith.ina | Kantoorure: Ma-Vr: 08h00-16h30

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