Electronic – arduino – What make now that I have implemented a working prototype of the system

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I developed code for an Arduino board (Arduino Uno + Ethernet Shield and some sensor) and I am thinking to try to make some money by selling the resulting system. Is it legally possible make that with Arduino? If so, what are next steps in order, for example, to assemble the system to a "compact box", "economize" things and start production?

In other words, what "I have" / "I should" make now that I have implemented a working prototype of my system?

Note: I am newbie in business related to electical matters.

Best Answer

Two things are important (three, first being I am NOT a lawyer).

  1. Do you use anyone else's software or libraries for your code? If so, you have to read those licenses.
  2. Are you using or modifying an Arduino or Arduino circuit? The Arduino FAQ provides their stance (below)

Mainly, it sounds like you want to prepackage an offcial unmodified Arduino board, the Arduino Ethernet shield, and a sensor board you design, with your code. So you are stacking three separate things, throwing them in a box, and selling them. Hardware wise, you should have nothing to worry about. Code wise, you might have to share some minor object files, unless you modify any libraries. Of course, that's only if you use the libraries and not build everything from scratch.

Can I build a commercial product based on Arduino?

Yes, with the following conditions:

  • Physically embedding an Arduino board inside a commercial product does not require you to disclose or open-source any information about its design.

  • Deriving the design of a commercial product from the Eagle files for an Arduino board requires you to release the modified files under the same Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license. You may manufacture and sell the resulting product.

  • Using the Arduino core and libraries for the firmware of a commercial product does not require you to release the source code for the firmware. The LGPL does, however, require you to make available object files that allow for the relinking of the firmware against updated versions of the Arduino core and libraries. Any modifications to the core and libraries must be released under the LGPL.

  • The source code for the Arduino environment is covered by the GPL, which requires any modifications to be open-sourced under the same license. It does not prevent the sale of derivative software or its inclusion in commercial products.

In all cases, the exact requirements are determined by the applicable license. Additionally, see the previous question for information about the use of the name “Arduino”.

There is also some conditions on using the name arduino, as it is trademarked:

While unofficial products should not have "Arduino" in their name, it's okay to describe your product in relation to the Arduino project and platform. Here are a few guidelines that explain which uses we consider reasonable. Not okay:

  • Arduino Xxxxxx
  • Xxxxxx Arduino
  • Arduino Compatible Xxxxxx - use "Xxxxxx (Arduino-Compatible)" instead

Okay:

  • Xxxxxx for Arduino - products that work with official Arduino boards (e.g. shields or kits)
  • Xxxxxx (Arduino-Compatible) - variations and clones which are software and hardware compatible

Note that while we don't attempt to restrict uses of the "duino" suffix, its use causes the Italians on the team to cringe (apparently it sounds terrible); you might want to avoid it. (It's also trademarked by a Hungarian company.)

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