Tesla Motors to “Open Source” its patents.

Tesla Motors, America’s leading Manufacturer of electric cars has taken a curious step of an \”open source\” approach for its technology patents, to encourage development of electric cars.  This step was taken with an intension to attract and motivate talented employees and to accelerate the mass market advancements of electric cars for sustainable transport.

Tesla Motors, CEO Elon Musk recently, announced that the company will still hold other intellectual property, such as trademarks and trade secrets that would prevent direct copying of its vehicles.

\”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,\” he wrote. \”We believe that applying the open source philosophy to our patents will strengthen, rather than diminish, Tesla\’s position in this regard.\”

At the beginning of this year, Tesla had 203 patents and 27 patents granted this year alone covering batteries and other key features. The earliest any of Tesla\’s current patents expires is 2026. Besides the cars, Tesla is also developing a network of high-speed chargers. Opening patents might help create more of a market for their use as well.

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