Topic: Question of Ownership
Continuing on a similar topic to my post on Microbusiness and Chumby...I have another important question.
This one is a hypothetical... (just for variety ...)
If someone had a really nifty idea to improve Chumby...it was *really* good...they set up a microbusiness using their idea to sell a product or information about the idea itself (say a diagram or instructions). How do they protect their idea? Do they just sell the product/info with no copyright or whatever and then let other people copy and onsell it? Do they just hope that they continue to do it better than others to keep their customer base...or what?
Then say the idea is *really* popular...a simple, elegant solution to a perceived problem with chumby....the Chumbians say "Why didn't we think of that?! This should come standard for all future Chumbys and we could also sell squillions of spin off products/info because of this wonderful new feature and rake in zillions of dollars all for us....mwah, ha, ha, ha, haaar" (Sorry, I took that one a bit far!). Does the person who came up with the idea get any compensation/recognition for their original idea?
Where does the developers' IP/copyright stop and Chumby Industries' begin?
Where does it start and stop with ideas presented to the forum? Is this considered an OpenSource forum and therefore everything presented within is for the community to use? Do the Chumby lawyers have a stance on this? (I'm just really curious...not out for cash...despite my jokes to the contrary!)
I'm just really trying to get my head around this OpenSource (but still for profit) symbiotic business model we are creating here....I know it is the model for the future but where is the benefit for the little guy? Is it going to be a fair model?
I have read comments on the net to the effect that chumby forumers are just happily (stupidly) developing Chumby Industries' product for them...that we are all gullible. Now that is not quite my take on this company...but I really want to know where Chumby Industries stands on these issues...and how does this all work in an international context???
(Please help...my head kinda hurts from thinking about it.... )