OpenSparc is Sun’s attempt to bring open-source thinking and cooperation into the realm of hardware design:

Goals of the OpenSPARC Initiative

• To significantly increase participation in processor architecture development and application design by making cutting-edge hardware IP freely available.
• To eliminate barriers to the next big build-out of the Internet.
• To improve collaboration and cooperation among hardware designers.
• To enable community members to build on proven technology at a markedly lower cost.
• To encourage innovation.
• To foster bringing bold new products to market.