RE: OP-ED: Don't Fear Physibles!

DAB — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:09:30 GMT

Hi Dave,

Good post.

I think you are right about manufacturers. They fear the potential without understanding the reality.

Most makers view home 3D printing as a way for them to explore their ideas. Few will make any components of marketable value, but most will have a lot of fun just playing around with concepts that would never see the light of day at a for profit company.

Plus, the biggest market from my point of view is replacing components that are no longer manufactured. While I am an ardent proponent of copyright laws, I fail to see a company complaining about anyone else making a part they no longer manufacture. Yes it "technically" violates the copyright, I feel it is still within the fair use clause if the manufacturer cannot or will not replace an obsolete component.

Realistically, if someone does come up with a killer product, they would either have to give away the design or contract with a production house to make any money off the idea.

As I recall, we went through this same stupidity when they created audio tape recorders, video tape recorders, etc.

We are just seeing the opening movements of the corporate "whining" phase. They will get over it.

Just my opinion.

DAB

RE: OP-ED: Don't Fear Physibles!

Catwell — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:35:27 GMT

It was inevitable, as I said in my post about physibles a few weeks ago: FBI to Watch Over Social Networks, as Pirates Trade 3D Printing Files.

What limits the pirating of physibles is the cost of 3D printers. As the price goes down, illegal copying of goods will follow the same route as copying music, complete widespread saturation.

Cabe

http://twitter.com/Cabe_e14