Accessible 3D Printing And Digital Piracy

Thanks to accessible 3D printing companies like Shapeways, DIY hobbyists can turn their designs into 3D objects and sell them online. And that’s raising serious questions about intellectual property rights for some companies.

Jul 22, 2015

Thanks to accessible 3D printing companies like Shapeways, DIY hobbyists can turn their designs into 3D objects and sell them online. And that’s raising serious questions about intellectual property rights for some companies. 

Latest in Operations
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
Sponsored
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
October 1, 2026
Green combine harvesters and tractors harvesting grain in a dusty field with trees in background
U.S. Tractor, Combine Sales Decline in September
October 13, 2026
Two dirt-covered hands showing calluses and wear from manual labor in a workshop setting
One Wipe Does Not Fit All: Choosing the Right Wipe for the Job
October 16, 2026
Stainless steel pneumatic push-to-connect fittings and tube connectors with brass accents on reflective surface
NITRA Stainless Steel Push-to-Connect Fittings
October 16, 2026
Related Stories
Mnet 188111 Technology Developments 3 2
Operations
Six Tips To Protect Against Intellectual Property Theft
Mnet 170727 Earns Coca Cola Minn 1 0
Operations
Higher Prices Bring In More Profit For Coca-Cola
Mnet 188105 Earns Microsoft Minn 1 0
Operations
Microsoft Books $8.4B Write-Down On Phones In 4Q
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
Sponsor Content
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
More in Operations
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
Sponsored
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
A button at each station pages the right person. Installs in about an hour.
October 1, 2026
Green combine harvesters and tractors harvesting grain in a dusty field with trees in background
Operations
U.S. Tractor, Combine Sales Decline in September
John Deere cited weaker equipment demand when offering a contract extension to UAW workers.
October 13, 2026
Two dirt-covered hands showing calluses and wear from manual labor in a workshop setting
Operations
One Wipe Does Not Fit All: Choosing the Right Wipe for the Job
Why one industrial wipe simply cannot handle every facility challenge effectively.
October 16, 2026
Stainless steel pneumatic push-to-connect fittings and tube connectors with brass accents on reflective surface
Operations
NITRA Stainless Steel Push-to-Connect Fittings
The expanded offering accommodates a wide variety of pneumatic system layouts.
October 16, 2026
Two yellow and black IO-Link Safety light curtain sensors displayed against gradient background
Operations
Safety Light Curtain for OSSD and IO-Link Safety
Featuring customizable protected fields and high shock resistance up to 50 g.
October 16, 2026
Industrial solenoid valve with black coil housing, amber transparent body, and attached power cable
Operations
Rocker-Style Diaphragm Valve for Sensitive & Aggressive Media
New design ensures cleaner operation, long life and reduced system complexity for demanding applications.
October 16, 2026
Two Walther soldering irons with black handles, gold tips, and red accents displayed side by side
Operations
WB Solid Carbide Mini Boring Bars and Adaptors for Swiss Turning
The carbide miniature boring bars and adaptors maximize precision for the smallest components.
October 16, 2026
Hitachi corporate manufacturing facility with modern architecture, surrounded by landscaping and parking lot
Operations
Hitachi Picks North American Site for Transformer Insulation Factory
It's expected to be completed by 2028.
October 16, 2026
Architectural rendering of modern industrial facility with white buildings, green landscaping, and curved driveway
Operations
M.C. Dean's $412M Virginia Expansion to Add Two Factories, 1,950 Jobs
The plans include a 442,000-square-foot building and a 1.5 million-square-foot building.
October 15, 2026
Silver linear position transducer sensor with ball joint mounts on blue background
Operations
Measure Linear Position in Harsh Environments
IP67-rated transducers use pressure compensation to support reliable operation in mobile equipment and industrial machinery.
October 15, 2026
Trade show booth demonstration with staff and visitors examining tools and equipment at an industrial exhibition
Operations
Taiwan's Largest Hardware Show Opens With Record Number of Hosted Buyers
Over 1,000 booths cover tools, fasteners, automotive repair, smart manufacturing and automation.
October 15, 2026
Patriot Pumps campus, Wolfforth, Texas.
Operations
Oregon Pump Manufacturer Moves Headquarters to West Texas
The company also plans to add a "state-of-the-art" facility near its new campus.
October 15, 2026
EIRE600 conduction cooled 600W AC/DC power supply with low profile design and medical rating specifications
Operations
Compact, 600W Open-Frame AC-DC with Ultra-Low Profile
It measures just 5 × 3 inches with an ultra-low 1.1-inch profile.
October 15, 2026
Aerial view of blue roller coaster tracks winding through an amusement park surrounded by trees and landscape
Operations
Roller Coaster Death Puts Safety Spotlight on Ever More Thrilling Rides
Experts say roller coaster safety mechanisms are "dependable."
October 15, 2026
Person holding black spiked helmet against blue sky with mountains in background
Operations
Non-Traditional Defense Contractor to Build Advanced Manufacturing Facility in North Carolina
In two and a half years, Corvid has grown from 8,000 square feet of manufacturing space to 800,000 square feet.
October 15, 2026