The answer is: it depends. Selling 3D printed models is not illegal per se, but it can violate intellectual property rights if you do not have the proper permissions or licenses from the original creators.
3D printing is a revolutionary technology that allows anyone to create physical objects from digital models. It has many applications, from prototyping and manufacturing to art and education. However, it also raises some legal questions, especially when it comes to selling 3D printed models.
In this article, we will explore the legal aspects of selling 3D printed models, such as:
What are the types of intellectual property rights that apply to 3D printing?
How can you obtain the necessary permissions or licenses to sell 3D printed models legally?
What are the best practices and tips for selling 3D printed models online?
Types of Intellectual Property Rights that Apply to 3D Printing
Intellectual property rights are the legal rights that protect the creations of the human mind, such as inventions, designs, artworks, and trademarks. They grant the creators exclusive rights to use, reproduce, distribute, and sell their works.
There are four main types of intellectual property rights that apply to 3D printing:
Patents: Patents protect inventions that are new, useful, and non-obvious. They give the patent holders the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, or importing the patented invention for a limited period of time, usually 20 years. Patents can cover both the 3D printing process and the 3D printed products, as long as they meet the criteria of patentability.
Designs: Designs protect the appearance or shape of a product or a part of a product. They give the design holders the right to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing products that bear the same or a similar design for a limited period of time, usually 15 years. Designs can cover both the 3D models and the 3D printed products, as long as they are original and distinctive.
Copyrights: Copyrights protect the expression of ideas in a tangible form, such as books, music, movies, and software. They give the copyright holders the right to control the reproduction, distribution, display, and adaptation of their works for a limited period of time, usually the life of the author plus 70 years. Copyrights can cover both the 3D models and the 3D printed products, as long as they are original and creative.
Trademarks: Trademarks protect the names, logos, slogans, or symbols that identify the source or quality of a product or a service. They give the trademark holders the right to prevent others from using the same or a similar mark for the same or a similar product or service, as long as the mark is distinctive and not confusing. Trademarks can cover both the 3D models and the 3D printed products, as long as they are used to indicate the origin or quality of the product or service.
How to Obtain the Necessary Permissions or Licenses to Sell 3D Printed Models Legally
If you want to sell 3D printed models that are based on or derived from someone else’s intellectual property, you need to obtain the necessary permissions or licenses from the original creators. Otherwise, you may be infringing their rights and face legal consequences, such as cease and desist letters, lawsuits, damages, or injunctions.
There are different ways to obtain the necessary permissions or licenses to sell 3D printed models legally, such as:
Asking for permission: You can contact the original creators and ask for their permission to use their intellectual property for commercial purposes. You should clearly explain what you want to do, how you want to do it, and how you will compensate them. You should also get their permission in writing, preferably in a formal agreement that specifies the terms and conditions of the use.
Buying a license: You can buy a license from the original creators or from a third-party platform that offers licenses for 3D printing. A license is a contract that grants you the right to use someone else’s intellectual property for a certain purpose, duration, and fee. You should carefully read the license agreement and follow its terms and conditions, such as the scope, limitations, and obligations of the use.
Using public domain or open source models: You can use 3D models that are in the public domain or under open source licenses. The public domain consists of works that are not protected by intellectual property rights, either because they have expired, been waived, or never existed. Open source licenses are licenses that allow anyone to use, modify, and share works for any purpose, as long as they comply with the license terms, such as attribution, share-alike, or non-commercial. You can find public domain or open source models on various online platforms, such as Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, or OpenSCAD.
Best Practices and Tips for Selling 3D Printed Models Online
Selling 3D printed models online can be a profitable and rewarding business, but it also requires some planning and preparation. Here are some best practices and tips for selling 3D printed models online:
Do your research: Before you start selling 3D printed models online, you should do some market research and find out what kind of models are in demand, what kind of customers are interested, and what kind of prices are competitive. You should also do some legal research and find out what kind of intellectual property rights apply to your models, what kind of permissions or licenses you need, and what kind of risks or liabilities you may face.
Choose your platform: There are different platforms where you can sell your 3D printed models online, such as online marketplaces, online communities, or your own website. Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as the fees, the exposure, the control, and the support. You should choose the platform that suits your needs, goals, and budget.
Create your portfolio: You should create a portfolio that showcases your 3D printed models and demonstrates your skills, creativity, and quality. You should include high-quality images, videos, descriptions, and testimonials of your models. You should also include information about yourself, such as your experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T).
Optimize your SEO: You should optimize your search engine optimization (SEO) and use the best possible keywords to rank in web searches. You should also use relevant tags, categories, and titles for your models. You should also provide a substantial, complete description of the given topic and value when compared to other pages in search results. You should also use social media, blogs, or forums to promote your models and drive traffic to your platform.
Provide excellent customer service: You should provide excellent customer service and communicate with your customers in a timely, polite, and professional manner. You should also provide clear and accurate information about your models, such as the specifications, the delivery, the warranty, and the returns. You should also handle any complaints, feedback, or reviews in a constructive and respectful way.
Selling 3D printed models is not illegal per se, but it can violate intellectual property rights if you do not have the proper permissions or licenses from the original creators. Therefore, you should be aware of the legal aspects of selling 3D printed models and follow the best practices and tips for selling 3D printed models online. By doing so, you can avoid legal troubles and enjoy the benefits of 3D printing.
