> How does an Open source hardware company make profit?
The same way an open source software company does, which is to say, there's no definitive answer. If you're building an open source platform, you're just as likely to make a profit from something in the ecosystem around the platform as you are the platform itself. Sure, you can sell the hardware, but you're likely to make as much or more selling your expertise around the hardware, whether that's in the form of add-ons (think: open core), books and courses and training, certifications for certain compliance needs, or services customizing the platform to meet a specific need for a specific client or industry.
It's worth noting that pretty much every successful open source software company targets enterprise clients. It's (sadly) very difficult to make money in the long term from consumers and hobbyists, because price is so often the deciding factor in their decision making. If you crack that nugget, you'll be among the few.
> If they do want to make profit by going closed source, what is the issue in that ?
Mostly, it's the backlash of a perceived bait and switch, or "openwashing" something that isn't. It's harder to track contributions for open source hardware like it is software, but it's worth noting that if a copyleft license is used, outside contributors would need to agree to the license change (if there were any outside contributors).
It's also, frankly, a value add that goes away. I bought a Prusa 3D printer because of the openness. If that goes away, so too would go away my willingness to pay a premium for their product.
> Does it matter if they go closed source? People still figure a way out to tinker with most stuff.
It depends? One of the most important parts of open source is the ability to freely redistribute my changes. If I improve an open source product, I have a right to share my version with anyone I want, including by selling it. I may not have that right if it's closed.
It's also a slippery slope. The changes hardware manufacturers make to keep people from copying their products also tend to make them harder to tinker with. Or to be sure I could get parts from a different supplier if the original maker went out of business.
> How does an Open source hardware company make profit?
The same way an open source software company does, which is to say, there's no definitive answer. If you're building an open source platform, you're just as likely to make a profit from something in the ecosystem around the platform as you are the platform itself. Sure, you can sell the hardware, but you're likely to make as much or more selling your expertise around the hardware, whether that's in the form of add-ons (think: open core), books and courses and training, certifications for certain compliance needs, or services customizing the platform to meet a specific need for a specific client or industry.
It's worth noting that pretty much every successful open source software company targets enterprise clients. It's (sadly) very difficult to make money in the long term from consumers and hobbyists, because price is so often the deciding factor in their decision making. If you crack that nugget, you'll be among the few.
> If they do want to make profit by going closed source, what is the issue in that ?
Mostly, it's the backlash of a perceived bait and switch, or "openwashing" something that isn't. It's harder to track contributions for open source hardware like it is software, but it's worth noting that if a copyleft license is used, outside contributors would need to agree to the license change (if there were any outside contributors).
It's also, frankly, a value add that goes away. I bought a Prusa 3D printer because of the openness. If that goes away, so too would go away my willingness to pay a premium for their product.
> Does it matter if they go closed source? People still figure a way out to tinker with most stuff.
It depends? One of the most important parts of open source is the ability to freely redistribute my changes. If I improve an open source product, I have a right to share my version with anyone I want, including by selling it. I may not have that right if it's closed.
It's also a slippery slope. The changes hardware manufacturers make to keep people from copying their products also tend to make them harder to tinker with. Or to be sure I could get parts from a different supplier if the original maker went out of business.
I'm sure others can add much more to my comments.