3d printing has changed the manufacturing process of goods. There is a 3d printing revolution taking place as we speak. But how users will be able to copyright intellectual property such as 3d printed designs stored on a computer using maker software? Copywriting has always been a complicated issue and coming to a consensus will not be easy. Laws need to be put in place in order for the industry to advance in the right way.

Some 3D Printing creations are eligible for patents, others are eligible for copyrights. Functional items, such as hinges and handles are covered by patents. Other items are covered by copyright such as decorative items. But Copyrighting and Patenting is a grey area, in respect to how it will be enforced. People will be able to 3d print anything copyrighted, patented, or not. But this presents a problem: 3d scanners and printers functions are combined together, which will cause a black market to emerge because items can easily be replicated from the comfort of users’ own homes.

So, laws need to be put in place and software developed to restrict users from easily obtaining things that they shouldn’t have by just pressing a few buttons.