"Ryan Calo, a law professor at the University of Washington who specializes in issues concerning robotics, noted that Sony's focus on service-focused drone flight was an odd move for a company better known for its consumer-facing products. “I'm a little surprised by the business model,” Calo said. “Commercial drones are not as interesting as they could be. What's going to make drones really interesting is the notion that third parties can make software and applications.” Calo noted that Sony showed its distaste for allowing third-party coders to make software for its robots with the aforementioned Aibo, sending a DMCA takedown notice in the early 2000s to enthusiasts that built their own programs for the dogs. By controlling its new drones and only selling services, however, Sony may be able to side step that."
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