Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
3D Printing and Intellectual Property Rights
When a “disruptive technology” like 3D printing comes along it usually brings new chal-
lenges to intellectual property protection. The introduction of the photocopier, the VCR and
file sharing are examples when this has happened before. Peer-to-peer sites like Napster and
Limewire were not only challenging IP protection, they brought huge losses and changed
the music industry forever. The file sharing experience is a lesson that should have prepared
the various parties involved in 3D printing for the next turn of events.
On the one side there are big manufacturers who are keen to protect their products from be-
ing copied. The big players might lean towards stricter IP regulation in the 3D printing field.
On the other side there are home tinkerers, hobbyists and consumers who want to use 3D
printing for experiments, technical development, sharing and producing things that are use-
ful to them. They might wish for 3D printing to stay open and not too restricted.
The fact that 3D printers still are relatively rudimentary and home production is neither con-
venient nor economical might serve as a protective barrier for some time. But the manage-
ment at a company such as Lego, whose products are extremely suitable for home based 3D
printing since they are both small and made of ABS plastic, should definitely be worried.
With 3D printing there is a new situation where the ability to produce things and objects
are being transferred to the individual consumer. There is an IP protection for production of
physical products in place through patents and trademarks, but it is adjusted for commercial
players, not individual consumers. It is also harder for IP rights holders to find and punish
many individuals than a few companies that are infringing on their rights.
There are different kinds of IP protection that comes in play depending on the situation and
what is being protected. IP laws are not uniform all around the world and there might be
regional differences in regulations.
Copyright
: In recent cases, such as the trial against Pirate Bay, and other cases concerning
p2p file sharing of music, films and software the key has been copyright protection.
However, copyright is not as useful in the case of 3D printing. Copyright protects original
and artistic works such as texts, images, movies, audio recordings, computer programs, cho-
reography etc. Objects are protected by copyright in case they are artistic such as sculptures
and parts of architecture. “Useful articles”, for example a chair, are not covered by copy-
