3D-Printing: A new Challenge for Intellectual Property?

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................... 4

Chapter 2: Copyright ............................................................................................... 9

A. What is copyright and what does it protect? .............................................. 10

B. Copyright and 3D-printing ........................................................................... 12

I. The creation of the CAD ............................................................................... 13

1. Creation of a CAD with a 3D-scanner ..................................................... 13

2. Creation of a CAD through human craftsmanship ................................... 18

3. Copying of an already existing CAD ....................................................... 19

II. The uploading and sharing of the CAD ....................................................... 20

1. Liability of the uploader ........................................................................... 21

2. Liability of the website owner .................................................................. 24

a) Statutory infringement ......................................................................... 25

b) Common law Liability ......................................................................... 26

c) The rules of the ELectronic Communications and Transactions Act

("ECTA") ................................................................................................. 30

3. Summary .................................................................................................. 32

III. The printing of the physical object ............................................................. 32

IV. Summary .................................................................................................... 34

Chapter 3: Patents .................................................................................................. 36

A. What is a patent and what does it protect? ................................................. 37

B. Patents and 3D-printing ................................................................................ 38

I. The creation of the CAD ............................................................................... 38

II. The uploading and sharing of the CAD ....................................................... 41

1. Liability of the uploader ........................................................................... 41

2. Liability of the website owner .................................................................. 43

3. The printing of the physical object ............................................................. 44

 Summary ................................................................................................ 45

Chapter 4: Other relevant IPRs ............................................................................ 46

A. Registered Designs ......................................................................................... 47

I. What is a registered design and what does it protect? .................................. 47

II. Registered designs and 3D-printing ............................................................ 49

1. The creation of the CAD .......................................................................... 49

2. The uploading and sharing of the CAD ................................................... 51

a) Liability of the uploader ....................................................................... 51

b. Liability of the website owner .............................................................. 52

3. The printing of the physical object ........................................................... 53

4. Summary .................................................................................................. 53

B. Trade Marks .................................................................................................. 54

I. What is a trade mark and what does it protect? ............................................ 54

2. Trade marks and 3D-printing ....................................................................... 55

1. The creation of the CAD .......................................................................... 56

2. The uploading and sharing of the CAD ................................................... 60

a) Liability of the uploader ....................................................................... 60

b) Liability of the website owner ............................................................. 61

3. The printing of the physical object ........................................................... 62

4. Summary .................................................................................................. 63

C. Passing-off ...................................................................................................... 64

I. What is passing-off and what does it protect? .............................................. 64

II. Passing-off and 3D-printing ........................................................................ 65

Chapter 5: Conclusion ........................................................................................... 67