USB Implementers Forum Says No to Open Source    Arachnid Labs
had an interesting idea to solve this problem. Since other USB
device vendors such as Microchip and FTDI give away USB PIDs for
free, a not for profit foundation could buy a VID, give PIDs
away to foundation members making open source hardware, and we
would all live in a magical world of homebrew devices that are
certified as USB compliant.  This idea did not sit well with VTM
Group, the people serving as the management, PR, legal, and
membership and licensing department of the USB Implementers
Forum. In a slightly disproportionate response, the VTM Group
told Arachnid Labs to,  Please immediately cease and desist
raising funds to purchase a unique USB VID for the purpose of
transferring, reselling or sublicensing PIDs and delete all
references to the USB-IF, VIDs and PIDs for transfer, resale or
sublicense from your website and other marketing materials.
Interestingly, Arachnid Labs’ and scores of other requests for
an open source USB VID haven’