In a recent announcement in the name of progress Elon Musk, founder of Tesla, explained that the company will not pursue lawsuits against those who use Tesla technology “in good faith.” On the Tesla Motors Blog, Musk proclaimed the removal of its current patents has been done “in the spirit of the open source movement, for the advancement of electric vehicle technology.”
Patents, he argued, restrict progress and allow giant, faceless, corporations to glean outrageous profits while giving nothing back in return.
With this move, Musk has invited others to create electric car competitors using the same technology that Tesla uses in its own cars. In reality, traditional internal combustion engines are Tesla’s true competition. While the pricey electric cars are not an uncommon site on the road, in the grand scheme of things they’re just a tiny drop in the giant auto bucket.
Clem Chambers, CEO of leading private investors Web site ADVFN.com, explained in an article with Forbes that it would even be good thing for Tesla if major car manufacturers decided to take advantage of the open patents. The fully electric car is a relatively new concept, only going mainstream some what recently. Many potential customers are hesitant to invest tens of thousands of dollars in a car and a company that may go bust in a few years.
By expanding the market Tesla hopes to solidify the validity of its cars, even if it means giving other access to the same information. And if Tesla’s electric models did end up going mainstream, people would remember that they did it first. Even if Ford or GM came out with models half the price of Tesla’s.
Musk is one of the few entrepreneurs who seems to care less about money and more about doing the right thing. The man is already a success. With Ebay, SpaceX, and now with Tesla under his belt everyone knows it. And more importantly he doesn’t feel the need to constantly remind everyone. That’s why this move from Tesla works. Elon is much more fascinated with what tomorrow has in store than how much money he can make.
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