Tag Archives: piracy
Physical DRM: New Patent Issued to Protect Piracy in 3D Printing
A patent issued on October 9, 2012 is looking to establish DRM-like protection for 3D printed goods and prevent piracy.
Here is the abstract from the full patent description.
Methods and systems for a manufacturing control system include but are not limited to identifying at least one object data file configured to produce an object by a manufacturing machine; confirming that an authorization code is associated with the object data file, the authorization code configured to be received by the manufacturing machine, the manufacturing machine adapted to receive the authorization code; and enabling the manufacturing machine to interface with the object data file only if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions.
As BBC describes it, “the broad patent uses a copy-protection system similar to that found on music files, movies and computer games. This copy management system acts as a digital wrapper around the design files used by 3D printers.”
This patent was issued to California-based Intellectual Ventures, established by former Microsoft technology executive Nathan Mhyrvold.
Here is the technical summary of the application.
In one aspect, a method for secure manufacturing to control object production rights includes but is not limited to identifying at least one object data file configured to produce an object by a manufacturing machine; confirming that an authorization code is associated with the object data file, the authorization code configured to be received by the manufacturing machine, the manufacturing machine adapted to receive the authorization code; and enabling the manufacturing machine to interface with the object data file only if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application.
In another aspect, a computer program product related to a control technique for object production rights includes but is not limited to a signal bearing medium bearing at least one of one or more instructions for identifying at least one object data file configured to produce an object by a manufacturing machine; one or more instructions for confirming that an authorization code is associated with the object data file, the authorization code configured to be received by the manufacturing machine, the manufacturing machine adapted to receive the authorization code; and one or more instructions for enabling the manufacturing machine to interface with the object data file only if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions. In addition to the foregoing, other computer program product aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application.
In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer.
In one aspect, a manufacturing control system for secure manufacturing includes a processor, a data store coupled to the processor, the data store configured to contain authorization guideline data including one or more authorization codes, the data store adapted for identifying at least one object data file configured to produce an object by a manufacturing machine; a confirmation module coupled to the processor, the confirmation module configured for confirming that an authorization code is associated with the object data file, the authorization code configured to be received by the manufacturing machine, the manufacturing machine adapted to receive the authorization code; and an authorization module coupled to the processor, the authorization module configured for enabling the manufacturing machine to interface with the object data file only if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions. In addition to the foregoing, other control techniques for object production rights system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
Via BBC.
Top 10 Countdown: Most Popular 3D Printing Stories in September 2012
Here are the top 10 most popular stories On 3D Printing brought you in September 2012.
10. Interview: Protos Eyewear Combines Fashion, Tech, and 3D Printing
9. The Variable Cross: Create Your Own 3D Printed Cross Pendant Necklace
8. Unique 3D Printed Art Featured at the 3D Print Show in London
7. 3D Printing Mobile Labs: A New Combat Strategy for the U.S. Military
6. 3D Printing iPhones in America: Disrupting Foxconn’s Assembly Line
5. 3D Printing Will Be As Disruptive As the PC, Thanks to Piracy
4. Could 3D Printing Save the Public Library System? Mixed Opinions
3. 3D Printing on the Horizon: Can You Spot the Trend?
2. Interview: Idle Print Looks to Monetize Spare Cycles in 3D Printing
1. 3D Printing a Futuristic Airplane Cabin: Innovation at Airbus
Thanks for reading in September!
Top 3D Printing Headlines Last Week: NASA, Piracy, London, Idle Hands
A roundup of the top news On 3D Printing brought you from September 11 to September 16.
Friday, September 14
3D Printing Will Be As Disruptive As the PC, Thanks to Piracy
The Economist published a feature on the intellectual property implications of 3D printing. Remember Napster and shareware? 3D printing will be as disruptive as the PC.
The machines, called 3D printers, have existed in industry for years. But at a cost of $100,000 to $1m, few individuals could ever afford one. Fortunately, like everything digital, their price has fallen. So much so, industrial 3D printers can now be had for $15,000, and home versions for little more than $1,000 (or half that in kit form). “In many ways, today’s 3D printing community resembles the personal computing community of the early 1990s,” says Michael Weinberg, a staff lawyer at Public Knowledge, an advocacy group in Washington, DC.
This disruption will require a change in business model. The question is whether manufacturers will adapt.
Manufacturers are likely to behave much like the record industry did when its own business model—based on selling pricey CD albums that few music fans wanted instead of cheap single tracks they craved—came under attack from file-swapping technology and MP3 software. The manufacturers’ most likely recourse will be to embrace copyright, rather than patent, law, because many of their patents will have expired. Patents apply for only 20 years while copyright continues for 70 years after the creator’s death.
Will regulation create obstacles to innovation?
Today’s 3D printing crowd—tucked away in garages, basements, small workshops and university labs—needs to keep a keen eye on such policy debates as they grow. “There will be a time when impacted legacy industries [will] demand some sort of DMCA for 3D printing,” says Mr Weinberg. If the tinkerers wait until that day, it will be too late.
Read the full feature at The Economist.
Piracy photo by robotson used under Creative Commons license.
Rebuild (or Clone) the Forbidden City with 3D Printing
3D printing is being used to restore ancient artifacts from Beijing’s Forbidden City. Through a process of high resolution optical scanning, relics are being digitized and reprinted so that they are not lost.
The team is capturing the shape of the original objects using laser or optical scanners then cleaning up the data using reverse engineering techniques. This allows damaged parts of intricate artefacts to be restored in the 3D model before being 3D printed. This has been possible for some time, but Zhang has developed a formalised approach tailored to the restoration of historic artefacts. The teams is working on the ceiling and enclosure of a pavilion in the Emperor Qianlong Garden.
This technique has also been used to “clone” artifacts so that every museum can host the most valuable collections for its patrons.
The Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.has over 137 million artifacts in its collection but only two per cent are exhibited to the public at any one time. Now, the organisation hopes to make more available by sharing its objects with other museums - or at least 3D-printed copies.
It’s interesting how techniques that previously could be considered akin to piracy are now being used to preserve cultural icons.
Via Wired.