Andrew Katz, Moorcrofts Joint Managing Partner and Head of Technology will deliver a webinar, on Open Hardware, exploring the dynamics of open technologies, as part of ASTP’s Tea Time series, on 24 November at 17:00 – 18:00.

About the webinar

While Open Source Software dominates the field of software development, open hardware has taken longer to evolve. Open hardware is hardware for which the designs are available for anyone to copy, use, improve and commercialise. Open hardware products vary from electronics (including chip designs), through to ventilators, cars, drones, lab equipment, even beer and cola. The European Commission takes Open Hardware seriously: it is currently undertaking a study on competitiveness, innovation and independence in the field of open hardware. Investors are also getting involved in open hardware, with SiFive, a company which develops chip designs based on open hardware, securing well over $100m in funding.

Andrew Katz will explore the dynamics of open technologies, and consider whether open hardware has the potential to be as successful as open source software. Why do companies invest in open hardware? Why does opening up technologies make sense for business, investors, the environment and society in general? Where can Open Hardware learn from Open Source Software: in what ways should it emulate Open Source, and in what ways should it seek a different route?

About Andrew Katz

Andrew Katz is a lawyer and tech enthusiast who has been advising on open technologies for over 20 years. He heads the technology team at Moorcrofts LLP, a boutique tech and corporate law firm in the UK’s Thames Valley. He has a particular interest in Open Hardware, having drafted the Solderpad Hardware License, and he is also on the core drafting team of the CERN Open Hardware Licence. He has written and lectured extensively on Open Hardware and is currently advising the European Commission as Open Hardware specialist on its current major study on open technologies, the output of which will be used to guide EU Policy for the next 10 years.

About ASTP

ASTP is a non-profit member’s organisation committed to knowledge transfer among universities and industry. Our focus is to further improve the quality of impact that public research has on the economy and society.

Established in 2000 by a group of leading practitioners, ASTP’s focus is to provide outstanding training and practice that supports member’s special interest, to advocate for the profession on the international stage and enable the building of professional networks.

More Information

For further details Open Hardware, please contact Andrew Katz.

Please note the webinar is for ASTP members only. For more information about the webinar and to book your place, visit the ASTP website.