Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
right. However a part of a chair might be covered by copyright if it is covered by a painting
or picture, has artistic carvings etc.
If a copyright protected 2D item, such as a cartoon character is 3D printed, it is probably
infringing on the copyright.
A blueprint in form of a cad-drawing or stl-file is protected by copyright. If someone posts
a 3D design that was originally created by you on Thingiverse, you have the right to give
Thingiverse a “takedown notice” in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
(DMCA).
Copyright does not need to be registered it arises automatically when a work is created and
it lasts in some cases to after 70 years after the creators death.
Design Protection
: It is possible for a company to register the design of a product as a
way of IP protection. The design has to be new and distinct. The overall appearance or a
part of a product may be registered. Design protection would protect against copying by
3D printing with one very important exception: if the 3D printed object is for personal and
non-commercial use. This means that as a private individual you probably don't have to
worry about design protection when you are using your 3D printer. Another way to circum-
vent design protection is to make a slight change in the design when copying the article.
Design protection is usually registered for a number of years (differing depending on coun-
try) but in some countries (the UK) unregistered design protection is also valid.
Patent
: Patent is granted for an invention, such as a device, application, substance, for-
mula, method etc., which is new and has a defined use. It prevents anyone other than the
inventor from making, using, selling or importing the product. Some patents might cover
complicated technology or chemical formulas and are not relevant in relation to 3D print-
ing, but there are also relatively simple plastic devices for leisure or home use that are pat-
ented, which could easily be 3d printed.
Private, non-commercial, and experimental use is usually not included in the patent protec-
tion. To apply for a patent takes time, paperwork and money, more so than other IP rights.
A patent is valid for a number of years (usually 20 years in the US) before it finally expires
and leaves the market open for competitors.
Trademark
: Trademarks can be in the form of words or figurative symbols like a logo.
Shapes of the product or its packaging (the Coca-Cola bottle!) may also be registered, this
is sometimes called “trade dress”. If you scan an object that has a trademark on it, and 3D
print it, it might be an infringement, but if you remove the trade mark in the cad-file before
printing, you are probably on the safe side. Trademarks in forms of shapes will probably
give a better protection to rights holders against 3D printing, but these are harder to obtain.
One big benefit of a trademark is that they can be renewed indefinitely and do not expire.
