discussion Adventures in resin 3D printing

[Tim Marlow]

I can imagine the copyright issues around printing to be a bit convoluted Andy. Just musing aloud, if you buy a file for personal use only, print some for yourself, then later decide you don’t want them, can you sell those prints on? It’s a world away from buying a personal file and printing/selling them to order isn’t it. I get that being an issue, it’s like digital recasting.
Another example is printing some, then painting them and later selling on the painted prints when you no longer want them. Does that infringe copyright?
I’m not looking to do this, just wondering if it’s an area where the law hasn’t caught up with the technology?
Fascinating to watch how easily this has come together for you though.

 

[Andy T]

Your guess is as good as mine Tim. It seems to be a grey area that I haven't got to the bottom of yet.

I do currently have a line though. Thomas regularly does commission painting, and also sells his older or excess models online. If that were to include 3d printed models I'd probably be okay with that.

Like you say though, if he suddenly started printing another person's files just to sell on as is, it's a different story and I'd have an issue with that.

I'm not sure if that stands up legally, but it's a moral judgement that I'm happy with for now.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Seems logical to me. I think I’d have the same boundaries Andy. I don’t think there is a bottom, though others with more experience in this area than me (not hard ) may say different.

 

[Andy T]

And then there's the whole remix situation.

If I downloaded a design then added some extra twiddly bits myself, could I then claim it as my own?

Like you say, the law is probably lagging behind the tech and needs clarifying.

 

[Steven000]

It's all pretty vague indeed but then again copyright is no joke if the designer takes offense.
Also if you're selling things online people might drag your name through the mud on forums and Social media (without you even knowing it) If they believe you’re abusing copyright.

I faintly recall someone posting a large Berlin diorama made with (re)molded Verlinden pieces which he then sold - He also got a lot of negative talk on doing that.

Anyway, you'll probably do fine if it doesn't take huge proportions Have fun

 

[Andy T]

Cheers Steven, a cautionary tale.

I'm currently trying to get my head around CAD software to make my own designs, so I'm safe. Just need to keep an eye on the youth lol

 

[John Race]

I remember a member on here posting he had bought some knock off figures from China, I sure John asked him to leave the forum . There's loads of the net of HORNET HEADS FROM China, I only buy them from an English website.

China seems to have bypassed the copyright laws.

Here and in most of the world.
Copyright law regarding 3D printing digital files (such as STL, CAD, or OBJ files) protects the original digital design and the underlying artistic work of the 3D model. When you download a 3D plan, you are generally purchasing or acquiring a license for personal, non-commercial use, which does not grant permission to sell the physical, printed object, nor to redistribute the file.
Reddit·r/3Dprinting +3

Taken from REDDIT

you can alter (modify) digital 3D printing files (STL, CAD) that you have downloaded, but whether you can legally sell or share that modified version depends strictly on the license attached to the original model, according to experts in 3D printing copyright. The original creator has the exclusive right to create derivative works, so modifications without permission generally constitute copyright infringement.
Law Stack Exchange +3

So there we have it Andy, so unless your son comes up with his own designs, which I have no doubt he will, then selling is not an option.

John.

 

[Andy T]

Thanks for the information John, I'll pass it on to Thomas

 

[John Race]

Thanks for the information John, I'll pass it on to Thomas

Your welcome Andy. I've plenty of time to search the net