Copyright, 3D Printing, and the Value of Open Vetted 3D OER

Libraries are protected from copyright lawsuits when patrons make copies, as long as signage is posted and patrons make the copies themselves. But, unlike copying or printing in libraries, self-service 3D printing in libraries is unrealistic. 3D prints take hours to finish, and troubleshooting 3D printing problems takes skill and experience. Meanwhile, the top websites for finding CAD designs to download and 3D print are rampant with copyright infringement. This presentation provides an overview of the status of copyright for 3D printing, covers the tech of why 3D printing is different from printing and copying on paper, and advocates for libraries to screen and make available, in vetted repositories, high-quality 3D-printer CAD files