Elon Musk never fails to impress, both with technology and business efforts — and his company’s new move is a shinning example of that. The billionaire entrepreneur is allowing free range on use of Tesla motors’ patents to further the advancement of electric vehicles.
This news reported by Mind Unleashed comes as a welcomed surprise and will undoubtedly have positive benefits in the shift from oil-dependent cars to the more energy efficient electric models. Musk announced the news last Thursday on his company’s blog:
“Tesla Motors was created to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport. If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric vehicles, but then lay intellectual property landmines behind us to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that goal.”
Musk said that Tesla will not bring lawsuits upon those who use the patents in good faith and claims to have shifted his view on patents. Musk once viewed patents as a positive thing, but now views them as an inhibitor to growth and innovation — something that goes against Tesla’s foundation. Musk made his change of business plan visual by taking down the patents on the wall of the Palo Alto headquarters, and adding:
“We believe that Tesla, other companies making electric cars, and the world would all benefit from a common, rapidly-evolving technology platform.”
Of course, the move does have some benefit to Tesla as the company plans to roll out a $5 billion-costing ‘gigafactory’ to produce efficient lithium-ion batteries and lower EV prices. So, if you’ve got a great way to advance Tesla’s electric motor technology, hit’em up, Elon wants to do business.