Adafruit: Arduino's rules are 'incompatible with Open Source'
2 days ago
- #Open Source
- #Adafruit
- #Arduino
- Adafruit criticizes Arduino's new Terms and Conditions post-Qualcomm acquisition, claiming they threaten open source principles.
- Arduino defends the changes, stating restrictions apply only to SaaS cloud applications and open source hardware remains unchanged.
- Debate centers on reverse engineering restrictions, perpetual licenses over user uploads, and broad monitoring for AI-related features.
- Adafruit argues Arduino's cloud tools, now central to the user experience, impose restrictions contrary to open source ideals.
- Arduino clarifies that user-uploaded content remains private unless shared publicly, requiring licenses only for functional purposes.
- EFF notes Arduino's shift from user-protective terms to standard practices, including irrevocable licenses for user content.
- Privacy concerns arise over username retention policies, with Arduino stating deletion requests are promptly honored.
- AI feature monitoring by Arduino is justified for legal compliance but criticized for being overly broad and invasive.
- Adafruit emphasizes the incompatibility of field-of-use restrictions with open source licensing principles.
- Both companies express commitment to open source, with Arduino open to feedback and Adafruit continuing its open source hardware mission.