Legos

3D printing poses a challenge to Lego because the pieces can so easily be replicated with fused deposition modeling printers. They make perfect building blocks. Look at faBrickation, a new approach to rapid prototyping. The key idea is to save 3D printing time by automatically substituting sub-volumes with standard building blocks by using Lego bricks.

Movie logos

This Star Wars ring, printed in the same font as the original movie and available for order on Shapeways, is an example of copyrighted material that would probably be a target of legal action. 

Guy Fawkes mask

This mask (shown as a gold pendant version here), which has become a symbol of protest and solidarity because of Anonymous, is protected under copyright from Time Warner. Since it was used in the 2006 film “V for Vendetta,” the company has been paid a licensing fee each time the mask is sold.

Bike helmets

Stratasys made waves by announcing its new triple-jetting technology for multi-colored objects, and one of the examples was a 3D-printed bike helmet. But this raises a question: If the company shares the design, and it breaks while in use, is the company responsible, legally?

A 3D-printed invisibility cloak

The idea may have stemmed from Harry Potter, but researchers at Duke University designed a plastic disk that makes a small object placed in its hollow center invisible to certain frequencies. You can download the file, but it is already protected by copyright that releases the designers of all possible consequences of using their invisibility cloak. Probably a smart move. 

For more on 3D printing, see: 

–10 facts on 3D printing: Understanding tech’s next big game-changer

–3D printing: 10 things still holding it back  

Yoda and other epic movie characters

The world of 3D printed Star Wars items is seemingly endless. It’s bound to cause some problems when Disney realizes the characters owned by its franchise are all over the Internet, being 3D printed.

Moon habitats

The possibility of this is still being investigated by the European Space Agency. The idea is that moon rock, soil, and dust, would make a concrete-like material used to build a lunar base layer by layer. We can’t really wrap our heads around this one either. Which nations and/or space agencies have rights to the resources on the moon? There are sure be some interesting legal ramifications that come from this. 

Meatless meat

Missouri-based Modern Meadow wants to use bioprinting to make quality meat without killing animals. The company is currently experimenting with bio-assembly techniques to make the best product. In 2012, they sent a proposal in to the Department of Agriculture. It will be a while (and plenty of FDA inspections)  before this product is edible  and available. 

Scrabble tiles

It seems relatively harmless: 3D printing those lost Scrabble tiles so you can still play the game. But that will most likely fall under a trademark violation as well.

Settlers of Catan terrain pieces

Similarly, what if you lose your Catan tiles or possibly want a more realistic terrain for the game? A maker on Thingiverse has designed a model for most of these game pieces. 

Reddit alien

The Reddit alien is protected by copyright law, and requires a license to use for free and for profit. Replications like this little business card stand may not hold up in court. 

3D-printed art replicas

Researchers at Delft University of Technology created a way to recreate works of art with a 3D printer. With a specific scanner, they can replicate the most accurate versions made of the artwork. As more people try this new technique, however, the copyright infringement laws will get sticky. 

The Key to Erebor

To promote The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in December 2013, Microsoft Advertising and Warner Bros. teamed up and released a 3D blueprint for fans to download and print a movie prop: the Key to Erebor. Companies releasing blueprints like this is smart—they can have a hand and a profit in the wild world of 3D printing—but there is always the potential for a leak and still plenty of replica designs, which could eventually cause problems with copyright infringement.