Saahil Dama & Amulya Chinmaye · June 2016
84 Geo. Wash. L. Rev. Arguendo 68
The ever-evolving nature of technology has brought us to the brink of yet another revolution—this time by literally adding a new dimension to printing. Three-dimensional (“3D”) printing carries immense potential for self-creation and mass-production of copyrighted objects. With several websites and designers propelling the growth of 3D printers and the availability of Computer-Aided Design files to feed such printers, copyright-protected articles face the threat of rampant infringement. If unchecked, the losses that copyright holders across the globe might incur are enormous. Hence it has become pertinent to gauge whether or not the extant copyright laws are flexible to accommodate this revolutionary technological leap. This Essay, briefly treading upon the operational aspects of 3D printing, predicts the copyright quandaries inherent to its preposterous printing capabilities. Recognizing that issues of copyright infringement and liability of intermediary websites that share infringing designs are likely to arise with such evolved technology, this Essay argues that it is time the laws be molded to better accommodate the capabilities and benefits of 3D printing. The authors also draw support from historical parallels where technological innovations have shaken our legal systems. While introducing amendments, however, due caution must be exercised to not hinder innovation at the expense of public or proprietary interests. This Essay concludes by recommending feasible benefit-sharing mechanisms that are in the interest of all the stakeholders and also further the innovative capabilities of 3D printing.
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