A proposal for a bridge of licensing over a sea of IP uncertainty: Digital Watermarking of 3D Printed Content

Abstract

An AHRC empirical research project carried out by the author and other academics has shown that a technical licensing framework, based around digital watermarking, could address many of the intellectual property law issues that are currently limiting investment into 3D printing within China (and beyond). The research has revealed that legal regulation of 3D printing currently suffers from significant shortcomings, and that there is a general lack of knowledge about how those IP rights operate. There is also a lack of knowledge in relation to how to initiate infringement proceedings. 3DP companies consequently have tended to be IP averse, other than in specific situations. As a result, firms have been turning towards the thought of developing licensing systems to enable them to be able to exploit 3DP intellectual properties with less risk of confusion, through the utilisation of licences backed up with technical systems. The empirical research funded the development of such a system based around digital watermarking. Such systems act as a bridge over the troubled waters of IP protection. Whilst there are dangers associated with such a technical system, in particular the possibility of misunderstanding the scope of IP rights in relation to licensing, this licensing approach has much to commend it, including fast transactions, an ability to instantly identify original authors, and the possibility of tracking content in ways that might alleviate the need for online payments in certain circumstances whilst still providing financial reward to the original creator(s). We suggest that such a system should be supported through Government initiative.