Legal War Over 3D Printing

[bradpowers]

I used Solidworks, simply because that's what I know.  The Dimension printers are awesome, probably wouldn't do this level of detail, but for structural parts like your robotics team might want, it'd be great. 

[SkavenSlave]

It's really legally questionable GWs original takedown notice.....since it sounds like the designs the guy made were not direct copies of GW models.  And 90% of IG stuff is a direct copy of WW1 tanks and such anyway, so...........they got nothing.

Not only that, the DMCA as cited in the article should not even apply in this situation.
That is the problem - corporations have the deep pockets for attorneys so individuals can't afford to fight of frivolous legal threats or lawsuits.
That is unless one is well off or can get the interest of the law centers that provide free legal services for these situations.
MarkG

[Benjamin]

My boss and I had a conversation about 3D printing today. Turns out 3D printers are under fire for being able to produce viable firearms.

[PhoenixFire]

My boss and I had a conversation about 3D printing today. Turns out 3D printers are under fire for being able to produce viable firearms.

the anti-guns have been talking about that for years, the bottom line is the plastics used in 3D printing wont hold up to any kind of slide action or thermal abuse from normal shooting.

i suppose you could use one to make a throw away plastic gun like the one Malkovitch used in "in the line of fire" but other than that they're pretty useless for firearms

[Bill]

For the record, I am a huge supporter of 3D printing GW related or not. I truly feel it is the wave of the future. In regard to firearms, they do have 3D printing in metals, which is super exciting for auto parts and the like. While it is still restricted to the strength of the base metal powder and not nearly as strong as a machined piece, the base material I would imagine would lend enough strength for low caliber ammo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6Px6RSL9Ac

[andalucien]

Hmm, it seems that 3d printers are pretty close to being able to print 3d printers.   I don't know about you but that makes me nervous.

[Sir_Prometheus]

That makes me feel things are awesome. 

[Bill]

Like everything that changes the world it will used, abused and associated with evil according to some people. Just like when the internet first had porn added too it; people will feel that a use of a 3D printer for things that a particular person does not find ethical is destroying the world. The bottom line is that 3D printing has the potential to remove huge cost from business and will make a huge impact. This will be similar to the change from CDs to digital copies of albums. No more cost to package and distribute; you just have to sell digital copies of blue prints. Eventually the mail will just be used for printing media, and spam credit cards.

[Sir_Prometheus]

Here here (or Hear Hear?  Never sure which)

[King of the Elves]

What 3d software did you use? AutoCAD? I am thinking of getting my school district to buy a Dimension 1200 for the robotics team. I would so use it to make warhammer crap.

 Mr. D, your not the only one from WHS who reads these forums! If metal fab gets a 3d printer, you should hook me up (wink wink)

[cole-slaw]

Battlegrounds , please get a 3d printer.

[Chase]

Battlegrounds , please get a 3d printer.

Maybe someday.  It would require me and every other employee to know how to use it an answer all sorts of questions people had about it.

It would also take a considerable amount of thought to find out what we can and can't do, how to make money off of it, and what to do when people aren't happy / satisfied with how their design comes out.

Right this minute it's screaming "GIANT HEADACHE" and not "GIANT DOLLARS."

[cole-slaw]

you could make your own products. like basic troops for every 40k faction , and sell them in the store for cheaper than gw sells them. im sure that would turn a profit considering i alone would eat that up

[GossWeapon]

They would also have to claim bankruptcy when GW sues them in to the ground...

[Benjamin]

They would also have to claim bankruptcy when GW sues them in to the ground...

What's wrong with selling Astro Marines models?