What Will Ubiquitous 3D Printing Do To IP Laws?

Lucas123 writes "With scanners able turn objects into printable files and peer-to-peer file sharing sites able to distribute product schematics, 3D printing could make intellectual property laws impossible or impractical to enforce. At the Inside 3D Printing Conference in San Jose this week, industry experts compared the rise of 3D printing to digital music and Napster. Private equity consultant Peer Munck noted that once users start sharing CAD files with product designs, manufacturers may be forced to find legal and legislative avenues to prevent infringement. But, he also pointed out that it's nearly impossible to keep consumers from printing whatever they want in the privacy of their homes. IP attorney John Hornick said, 'Everything will change when you can make anything. Future sales may be of designs and not products.'"

Comments

Impractical?

[nospam007]

"3D printing could make intellectual property laws impossible or impractical to enforce."

That won't stop the old boys from trying, like they are doing it with music and movies.

Re:Impractical?

[MozeeToby]

"You wouldn't download a car!"

"Fuck you! I would if I could!"

Seriously though, something's got to give here and soon. If we ever hit the point where most products can be reproduced essentially for free there is going to be a massive and thorough push to lock down the internet in ways the RIAA and MIAA can only dream of. Remember, those media companies are bit players in the grand scheme of things. The amount of money going into the IP protection lobby will sky rocket the day you can download the plans for a BMW off pirate bay.

Re:Impractical?

[davidannis]

If we ever hit the point where most products can be reproduced essentially for free

No worries, the more complex the product the more complex the printer will need to be and the less efficient doing it on a small scale will be. We could all produce many things at home now but we don't. In part, it is more efficient to produce things in mass quantities. Then there is the up front cost. In part it is the complexity of producing certain components. There is a reason IC plants are so expensive; you can't print a chip without a lot complex machinery, a specific environment, etc. So, even if somebody comes up with a printer that can print a laptop it will have a large up front cost, require maintenance, and not be cheaper than paying a company that specializes in making laptops for many decades to come.

Re:Impractical?

[smpoole7]

> the more complex the product the more complex the printer will need to be and the less efficient doing it on a small scale will be

There's some truth to that. I don't think you're going to have many individuals building a BMW (or even a Nissan Sentra) at home. A few hobbyists, maybe, not on a large scale.

But what is GOING to happen ... count on it ... is that small, local "custom shops" are going to spring up. What if I could get a cross between a Sentra and a BMW? Or something that looks like a Ferrari, but with the safety and fuel mileage of a small Audi? Now the IP laws are actually *overlapping* between identified brands.

What if I can go into a custom tailor's shop and have a suit made while I go have lunch? Just the way I want it, at a reasonable price, and without waiting for days.

THIS is the future. We live in exciting times.

Re:what exactly can you print on these?

[Anonymous Coward]

you can print real cotton clothes that are completely washable on a 3d printer? where do you get the raw cotton for it to form into clothing?

You asked "can you".

Asked and answered. Your supply chain problems are a different issue.

You must be a consultant.