Great move from Shapeways and Hasbro. Allowing designers to use their IP and upload designs for 3d printing. Everyone benefits.
http://gigaom.com/2014/08/26/shapeways-might-have-found-the-best-model-yet-for-3d-printing-copyrighted-objects
“[…] whether 3D printing will have its “Napster moment”: a period where pirated files flow so freely and widely that copyright holders fall into a panic and prompt the government take harsh measures to protect them.”
Is pirating 3D models actually a thing now? If anything, i’d attribute the lack of piracy to the lack of piratable files, most designs are shared with liberal licenses anyways.
Also, only being able to buy models from select artists kinda isn’t what 3D printing is all about - after all, that’s the same business model as when you buy your injection-molded toy online somewhere.
Wow, Hasbro is historically one of the most aggressive at going after people who violate their IP copyrights. Way to go Hasbro turning things around and not just allowing it, but allowing the artist a cut as well!
@Thomas_Sanladerer
their pilot program was select artists only, this article is talking about that feature going live now where ANY artist can make such works.
Hasbro gets a cut, its a licensing thing. They also might be working on their own 3d printing toy maker.
@Thomas_Sanladerer Better this than them pushing for more harsh regulations on everything 3d printing.The hobbyist 3d market is way different than the shapeways market. Shapeways is allowing anyone to sell anything to anyone without having to own a 3d printer. I have some models up over there (2 and they are not printable by FDM) I have made… ~$10 without any additional work on my behalf.
This model does and will continue to work for consumers. I would be interested in a similar market place for files that are copy protected. Kind of like Amazon does for digital books.
To be clear, i think Copyrights laws are too powerful, but i respect them and follow them to the best of my abilities. I buy my movies and music. With 3d models it will be tricky going forward.