Patent Law in the Era of 3D Printing: The Practitioner’s Perspective

Abstract

3D printing has become less costly in the recent past and will be even more affordable in the near future. Thus, a growing number of consumers will be able to (re)produce objects with the help of this technology, using computer-aided design (CAD) files. As this will include patented inventions, patent law will face substantial challenges. With this context in mind, the paper focuses on practitioners’ needs in the digital, especially co-creation, context. First, it introduces the basics on German and European patent law (including the future Unitary patent), with some practical remarks on patent protection. In its main part, the paper focuses on possibly patent infringing actions in the context of 3D printing of products which fall under the subject-matter of patents.