The Open Hardware Certification Program

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Supported by: Uniforum, Free Software Foundation, Debian, FreeBSD Inc.
Linux International and its Member Companies: Digital Equipment Corporation, Redhat Software, Caldera, WorkGroup Solutions, Yggdrasil Computing, Metrolink, Linux Hardware Solutions, InfoMagic, VA Research, Xi Graphics, Tower Technology, Just Logic Technologies, Specialized Systems Consultants, H&L Software, Pacific HiTech, Quant-X Service & Consulting Ges.m.b.H., Sebit Ltd, Tech-X.
4Front Technologies, Cyclades, Sangoma, Plextor.

The Open Hardware Certification Program is a self-certification program for hardware manufacturers. By certifying a hardware device as Open, the manufacturer makes a set of promises about the availability of documentation for programming the device-driver interface of a specific hardware device. While the certification does not guarantee that a device driver is available for a specific device and operating system, it does guarantee that anyone who wants to write one can get the information necessary to do so. There is no charge to participate in the program. Vendors of certified equipment have the right to apply the Open Hardware logo to their packaging, and to state in advertising that their devices are certified. Users who buy equipment with the Open Hardware logo are assured that a change in operating system or even the demise of the manufacturer will not make it impossible to get new software written for their devices.

There is no charge for this certification program. Manufacturers go through a simple self-certification process and can immediately use the Open Hardware logo and can state that their devices are certified.

If you have questions about the program, please write to Vincent Renardias at <vincent@openhardware.org>.

Open Hardware and Debian are trademarks of Software in the Public Interest, the non-profit organization that produces the Debian GNU/Linux Distribution.

Open Hardware Resources

The Open Hardware Catalog

Please send comments on these webpages to webmaster@openhardware.org.