I honestly wonder if releasing their loader software as open source will do more harm than good. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for open source, but in this particular market, I don't see how it would benefit AceKard.
Hardware-wise there is very little difference between a Cyclo DS, Supercard, R4, EZ-V, DSX, AceKard, etc.
What has separated the current brands is their software. Features such as cheat support, internal soft-reset and direct-MicroSD save writes is what differentiated the R4 (and consequently the M3 DS Simply) and consequently made it very popular.
When it comes to hardware of a slot-1 Flashcart, they are all pretty much the same - typically a programmable chip, MicroSD slot, bit of RAM and a PCB.
Now consider the Flashcart industry in general - The people involved specialise in hardware/software reverse engineering in an already ethically questionable industry. It won't take much effort or time for a competing group of individuals to rip off AceKard's PCB design but without the software, it's not much use. However, if AceKard releases their software as open source, you suddenly have a lot of imitators being able to release AceKard "fakes".
Money can't be made in the selling of the hardware. There will always be someone out there who can rip off your design or produce the same device for cheaper. Trying to undercut them in a price war simply devalues your product. It's the features, GUI and quality of your software which will differentiate your Flashcart from the rest of the market. It's the software the determines your product's value. Give that away and you open the doors for imitators trying to make a buck off your hard work.