@Naperlou: I'm not sure this is really like an open source license. This patent is for some sort of digital rights management system that would actually curtail access to the 3D design. Of course, who needs if it will ever be implemented, but it does raise some interesting questions.
This is an interesting development and probably speaks to the "maturity" of the technological innovation landscape, that legal wrangling can begin so early in the development process. As you said in your article, "Let the games begin". One would hope that legal battles don't prove to be too much of an entanglement to the successful deployment of these technologies.
Beth, this is very similar to the Open Source Software (OSS) situation. Software is distributed with a license, such as the Apache License from the Apache Software Foundation. This license states that you have the right to use the software, redistribute it, create derivative works, etc. in perpetuity. It grants copyright and patent rights. If you initiate any patent litigation in relation to the Work (as they call it) then your rights under the license are terminated. You can sell prodcuts created from the work, etc., but cannot restrict use of the Work itself. This is probably going to have to be a model for the 3D printing/manufacturing world.
One thing that is different is the way people may make money off of OSS as compared to 3D objects. In OSS, companies make money adapting the software to particular applications, and primarily by providing support and testing. Linux, the biggest OSS "product" is available free from many non-profit different sources, but can also be obtained from established companies as well (Oracle is an example). I wonder what the equivalent to providing support is going to be for 3D design objects.
By experimenting with the photovoltaic reaction in solar cells, researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in energy efficiency that significantly pushes the boundaries of current commercial cells on the market.
In a world that's going green, industrial operations have a problem: Their processes involve materials that are potentially toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. If improperly managed, this can precipitate dangerous health and environmental consequences.
With LEDs dropping in price virtually every year, automakers have begun employing them, not only on luxury vehicles, but on entry-level models, as well.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
3 
