The Power of Open Source: How Tesla and NFT Creators Embrace the "No Rights" Path

Kazuki

Hatched by Kazuki

Aug 05, 2023

4 min read

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The Power of Open Source: How Tesla and NFT Creators Embrace the "No Rights" Path

In recent years, the concept of open source has gained significant traction across various industries. Two prominent examples of this trend can be seen in the approaches taken by Tesla Motors and NFT creators who opt for the "no rights" path. Despite their differences in the fields of sustainable transport and digital art, both Tesla and NFT creators recognize the value of open source and its potential to foster innovation and collaboration.

Tesla Motors, founded with the mission to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport, made a bold move by opening up its patents to the public. In a blog post titled "All Our Patent Are Belong To You," Tesla emphasized the importance of removing intellectual property barriers that hinder progress in the electric vehicle industry. By applying the open source philosophy to its patents, Tesla aimed to encourage other companies to join the sustainable transport movement rather than compete against them. Tesla recognized that their real competition was not the few electric vehicles on the market, but the overwhelming number of gasoline cars being produced globally. By sharing their patents, Tesla hoped to pave the way for compelling electric vehicles and drive the shift towards sustainable transportation.

Similarly, NFT creators have embraced the "no rights" path by issuing their digital works under the Creative Commons Zero (cc0) license. Unlike traditional intellectual property strategies that aim to protect and monetize their creations, these creators intentionally waive their rights to exclude others from using the same intellectual property. This counterintuitive approach recognizes the value of experimentation and recombination in growing the overall value of intellectual property. The success of the crypto and NFT communities in attracting public development can be attributed, in part, to their endorsement of open source and "remix culture." By allowing others to build upon and extend their original projects, creators foster a more vibrant and engaged community. As new derivatives are created and shared, attention flows back towards the original, strengthening its position and inspiring further interpretations.

The adoption of open source principles, as seen in both Tesla's approach to patents and the use of cc0 licenses by NFT creators, highlights the potential for collaboration and growth. Just as the open source movement propelled Linux to become the dominant operating system, open sharing and cooperative opportunities in the NFT space can lead to similar outcomes. By giving people ownership over their digital assets, they are incentivized to contribute and co-create, internalizing the results through the value that accrues to their assets.

For NFT projects utilizing cc0 licenses to reach their full potential, supporting infrastructure services need to be readily available. Composability, or the ability to plug assets into different platforms, is crucial for growth. The interoperable nature of these assets allows for third-party expansions and derivatives to become sources of revenue by driving increased demand for the original cc0 assets. This shift in perspective turns competition into cooperation, as seen in Robbie Broome's example of UrbanOutfitters using his design rather than creating a similar one from scratch.

In conclusion, the examples set by Tesla Motors and NFT creators demonstrate the power of open source and the value of embracing the "no rights" path. By removing intellectual property barriers, companies and creators can foster collaboration, innovation, and growth. Three actionable pieces of advice for those considering this approach are as follows:

  • 1. Embrace the open source philosophy: Consider the long-term benefits of sharing knowledge and resources with others in your industry. By promoting collaboration, you can drive innovation and accelerate progress.
  • 2. Utilize cc0 licenses for digital creations: When issuing digital works, consider adopting the cc0 license to allow others to build upon and extend your creations. This can lead to a more vibrant and engaged community, ultimately enhancing the value of your original work.
  • 3. Foster a culture of cooperation: Instead of viewing competitors as threats, explore opportunities for cooperation and partnership. By embracing a cooperative mindset, you can turn competition into a catalyst for growth and shared success.

By following these actionable steps, individuals and companies can harness the power of open source and open up new possibilities for innovation and collaboration in their respective industries.

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