Why is it a good time to discuss 3D printing in the context of IP?

Every now and then a new technology emerges which has the potential to demolish existing ways of manufacturing and delivering product and could disrupt current business models. The challenge is to enable this to happen whilst maintaining existing legal protection for creators and designers of product. Thirty years ago a similar change began with the emergence of digital technology and its repercussions on analogue industries (think vinyl being replaced by CD). Twenty years ago it was the arrival of the internet and global instantaneous delivery of perfect copies of content, and ten years ago the emergence of smart phones and internet connected TVs, transforming devices at home and in your pocket that both allow for delivery of content as well content creation.

Up until now the design sector has been relatively unaffected by these digital developments but 3D printing technology is already changing the design, engineering, technology and manufacturing and we are only on the cusp of what could be monumental change. With 3D technology developing at break-neck speed, opening new horizons to make bespoke 3D object is easy, fine tuning prototyping and tailoring manufacturing as never before. Does this present opportunities for mass counterfeiting? What could be done now to help address these concerns?

Conference Objective:

To bring together industry experts and key stakeholders to discuss and debate the opportunities provided by 3D printing and to evaluate, highlighting some of the attendant IP risks in light of historical evidence in other sectors and to provide some thought leadership and recommendations on next steps for key stakeholders and policy makers.

To download the full report with summary, recommendations and next steps, please click here