[digital-copyright] RE: 3D printing

[Charles Wiggins <cpwiggins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ms. Corbett,



I have no specific experience with 3D printing, but I found this, which might prove a helpful starting point: http://publicknowledge.org/Copyright-3DPrinting



Beyond copyright and other IP issues I would also be concerned about potential liability for allowing the creation and use of certain objects created by 3D printing: http://www.vice.com/motherboard/click-print-gun-the-inside-story-of-the-3d-printed-gun-movement



I am not advocating for a particular position on gun rights or gun control, but this is a reality. Eventually, someone will use a 3D printer at a college, university, or library to create weapons and use them in commission of a crime, and when the attorneys start pointing fingers and looking for deep pockets, guess where theybll turn.



Charles

_______________________________________________________________________________
Charles P. Wiggins, Director of Library Services
Isothermal Community College
P.O. Box 804
Spindale, NC 28160
828b395-1306
cpwiggins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:cpwiggins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>





-----Original Message-----
From: Corbett, Hillary [mailto:h.corbett@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2013 10:47 AM
To: digital-copyright@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [digital-copyright] 3D printing



Hi, all -



We are planning to launch a 3D printing service within the library in the fall. I've been asked to assess whether use of the 3D printer can be considered covered under our university's appropriate use policy (<http://www.northeastern.edu/infoservices/?page_id=97>http://www.northeaster

n.edu/infoservices/a<http://www.northeastern.edu/infoservices/aup.html>up.htm

l<http://www.northeastern.edu/infoservices/aup.html>), or if the printing system will need to include special terms of use. The AUP doesn't specifically mention printing of any kind as being included in the use of the university's "information systems," so I imagine printing so far has been considered to be included in the broader "copying" context. But 3D printing is, as I've been reading, not exactly the same as 2D in terms of what copying/reproduction means (eg. not just photocopying architectural plans but printing out a scale model from plans). Can we just post the Title 17 notice next to the 3D printer as we would with photocopiers, etc.? Or does a 3D printer warrant special explanation and acknowledgment in order to indemnify the university?



I would be interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences on this topic!



Thank you -

Hillary



-------

Hillary Corbett

Scholarly Communication Librarian | University Copyright Officer Northeastern University

360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

v: 617.373.2352 | f: 617.373.5409

h.corbett@xxxxxxx<mailto:h.corbett@xxxxxxx<mailto:h.corbett@xxxxxxx%3cmailto:h.corbett@xxxxxxx>>