6 ms·

patent != copyright

• HeWhoLurksLate 8y ago
  To add on that, patents require the disclosure of a method in exchange for a protection of that method. If Tesla applies for a patent, they have "opened the source" by that action. If Tesla then goes and open sources their patents, they've essentially said "we don't need protection anymore, feel free to build this right now instead of in 20 years." Trade secrets, like how they get their material, some specific PLC code, code that isn't specifically disclosed, or change orders for specific mechanisms have de jure copyright and ownership by Tesla. If Tesla decides not to publish, publicize, or even share documents, someone who shouldn't have documents but does, as well as the person who violated the copyright would be in trouble.