Open source innovation: Towards a generalization of the open source model beyond software

Julien Pénin ()

Revue d'économie industrielle, 2011, vol. n° 136, issue 4, 65-88

Abstract: This paper investigates the possibility of exporting the free and open source model, which has proved successful in the case of software, to other sectors. We propose a general definition of open source innovation that rests on two pillars: openness and interactivity. First, the outcome of the innovation process must remain open, i.e. it must be made available to all without discrimination. Second, the actors of the innovation process must develop modes of interactions such that they promote a « bazaar » ? like knowledge production dynamics (Raymond, 1999). Open source innovation is therefore very different from open innovation (Chesbrough, 2003). We also discuss the possibility of using intellectual property rights, and patents in particular, in a copyleft way, in order to secure open source innovation. We then investigate the contexts in which open source innovation might be successful. We argue that it may be especially promising when envisaged as providing an upstream open knowledge platform into which firms can tap in order to develop downstream applications. We conclude by presenting two examples that fit our definition of open source innovation: the case of open source biology (Hope, 2008) and the case of creative industries (Bach et al., 2010).

Keywords: Patents; Open Source Innovation; Free-Libre Software; Open Innovation; Collective Invention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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