Forbes published great article by Gary Shapiro is president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) on the emerging 3D printing business and established industries attempts to fight it.
Shapiro wrote “3D printing is facing legal challenges. Established players in manufacturing are going after user-generated 3D file sharing sites, arguing that their intellectual property is ripped off by home printers. But in many cases, home 3D printer aficionados are building out and improving upon original designs. Our copyright laws are unclear about the degree to which 3D designs and software are protectable, and what constitutes infringement. Looking ahead, it is important for the courts and the Congress to allow in-home manufacturing to blossom and make its full potential contribution to our economy. Imagine a world where most products are made locally, and aspiring jewelers, cooks, inventors and designers can create, experiment and create new markets with a simple investment from their home.”
The company that owns the character Tintin demanded the the 3D file shairing site thingiverse removed 3d models of their characters. The site complied and soon another popped up. Others followed, some with improvements that greys the line of copyright protection.
Read the full article at Forbes.
