Sci/Tech 3D Printer DRM Patent To Stop People Downloading a Car

tom_mai78101

The Helper Connoisseur / Ex-MineCraft Host
Staff member
Reaction score
1,633
DRM systems in the digital media world are nothing new and are utilized extensively in the music, movie and video games industries. Now, after applying four years ago, a company has this week obtained a patent for a DRM system that aims to stop future owners of 3D printers from printing whatever they like. The dream of downloading a new pair of sneakers or even a car might already be in jeopardy, before it’s even begun.

During the last 20 years inkjet printers made an unholy mess of the short-run commercial print guy’s business, enabling just about anyone to print on anything from paper to plastics with a relatively tiny outlay.

During the next 20 years the 3D printer will be the bogeyman affecting industries both far and wide and large and small, by giving the man in the street the ability to print physical objects as easily as he can print a family photo today.

Downloading a car – or a pair of sneakers – will be entirely possible, although Ford and Nike won’t be particularly happy if people use their designs to do so. However, if The Pirate Bay have their way, that’s exactly what will happen.

 
Last edited by a moderator:

Varine

And as the moon rises, we shall prepare for war
Reaction score
803
Not really. It's an emerging technology that could possibly impact the future sales of many companies. They're just being pre-emptive, which is a good business strategy.
 

KaerfNomekop

Swim, fishies. Swim through the veil of steel.
Reaction score
612
I think FireCat is referring to the fact that 3D printing is about to exist.
 

Dan

The New Helper.Net gives me great Anxiety... o.O;;
Reaction score
160
It already does exist.
To be fair, there are some pretty obvious downfalls to "3d printing." It ill be immensely useful for some things, but entirely impractical for most.
 

Varine

And as the moon rises, we shall prepare for war
Reaction score
803
I didn't say it was going to do anything you wanted it to. I just said it exists. I have one.
 

Slapshot136

Divide et impera
Reaction score
471
I have to ask, can you print legos with that 3d printer?

and 20 years might pass before we can "print" metal/etc.
 

Varine

And as the moon rises, we shall prepare for war
Reaction score
803
And yes you can. A CNC is more or less the same thing, though more useful.

And I guess I could make legos... wouldn't be very good legos, but I could do it I think.
 

SouLEDGE

Damn you advanced calculus
Reaction score
75
I think it would be a quite a while before we could print a full car, don't get me wrong it will be done just not in the very near future, plus I wouldnt want to drive the first couple of cars that come out of a 3D printer for fear of it falling apart:p
 

tom_mai78101

The Helper Connoisseur / Ex-MineCraft Host
Staff member
Reaction score
1,633
World's first 3D printed guitar.

1011_3d_guitar_630x420.jpg


Source.


I believed, right now, 3D printing is considered practical.
 

Varine

And as the moon rises, we shall prepare for war
Reaction score
803
It's not technologically beyond us. Just expensive.
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.

      The Helper Discord

      Members online

      Affiliates

      Hive Workshop NUON Dome World Editor Tutorials

      Network Sponsors

      Apex Steel Pipe - Buys and sells Steel Pipe.
      Top