John Ackermann, N8UR, has authored two new licenses intended to foster collaborative hardware development projects. I've known John for many years through our mutual involvement in TAPR. He invited me to review several early drafts, and did a great job of integrating the feedback that I and his other early reviewers provided.

The latest drafts of these licenses are open to public review and comment until March 7th, 2007. I invite readers interested in hardware development and/or the nuances of license texts to review the TAPR Open Hardware License and associated non-commercial variant, and provide feedback through the mechanisms provided.