Intellectual Property, Patent Law And 3D Printing

Exclusive Interview: Legal Expert Marcus J. Thymian Examines Implications of Intellectual Property & Patent Law in 3D Printing

Sarah Anderson Goehrke | November 24, 2015

Intellectual property is, obviously, a hot issue in today’s world. With patents having been around for centuries–George Washington signed the first US patent back in 1790, for Samuel Hopkins’ method of making potash–many of the kinks to IP have long been settled for the protection of unique inventions. However, as technology advances at an unprecedented pace, these protections have been struggling to keep up in an increasingly digital and open source (sometimes by pirates rather than by choice) world.Marcus J. Thymian, a partner at Chicao-based McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP, has an acute interest in the unique patent issues that will continue to arise with the ongoing evolution of high-tech industries. With predictions rooted in 3D printing, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT), Thymian brings to the table great experience in IP law and as a patent litigator.

Copyright breaches through the “piracy” of movies and videos is unfortunately very common.  But if any object can be replicated by means of a 3D Printer, then an impressive “black” market of cloned items might open up. 

[...] the creation of the 3D CAD file replicating the a third party design (e.g. a dress or a bag from a famous fashion designer) might be considered infringing design rights. Also, the dissemination of the file might be considered a contributory infringement of the IP rights involved [...]

Source: https://www.technologyslegaledge.com/2015/09/top-3-legal-issues-of-3d-printing/

<more at http://3dprint.com/107513/thymian-interview-ip-patents/; related links: http://3dprintingindustry.com/intellectual-property-ip/ (3D Printing: IP Vulnerability and Information Technology. November 17, 2105) and https://www.technologyslegaledge.com/2015/09/top-3-legal-issues-of-3d-printing/ (Top 3 legal issues of 3D Printing! September 7, 2015)>