Donate to Arduino

Development Suggestions for the Arduino Project
5

avenue33:
It seems that idea has been implemented. See http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Donate

Now, there are a couple of things I don't understand:

  • Isn't Arduino a for-profit company? In that case, can a for-profit company ask for and receive donations?

Of course they can, what makes you think they cannot? Obviously laws vary by country, but I don't know of any where companies can not receive donations.

Unless your assumption is that a "donation" is always tax-deductible. Donations to for-profits are probably not tax deductible.

  • I've bought legitimate Arduino boards at full price —Uno at €35, Leonardo at €25, Mega 2560 at €45. Wasn't the IDE part of the product?

Legally speaking, no. Boards are manufactured under license, licensees pay royalty for the Arduino trademark.

In practice, profits from royalties and other sources will end up paying staff who contribute to the IDE.