With any technology that bursts onto the scenes in a way in which we have seen 3D printing do so, there are always issues that arise, which must be solved one way or another. With 3D printing, there are no limits. It could very well be the technology that leads us into the future. At the same time however, we must also be prepared for social, legal, and monetary issues that could be brought on by this technology. Intellectual property issues will be one of the more prominent battles facing corporations and individuals going forward. At this time, there are not too many issues, but as more and more companies and people begin delving into the possibilities of using 3D printing for manufacturing and at home use, there will certainly be some major concerns going forward.
Speakers with backgrounds in politics, legal professions, and 3D printing will converge next week in Washington, D.C. to explore the political and intellectual property implications of 3D printing. The event, 3D Printing Politics, is the first of its kind, and is produced by the creators of Inside 3D Printing Conference and Expo.
Interested in getting to know some of the speakers? Check out some of the highlights below:
Thaddeus Burns, Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property & Trade, General Electric Company
Thaddeus Burns leads a team of professionals supporting GE businesses and Global Research and works to support the company’s acquisition and protection of intellectual property and related technology assets. He also serves on the National Academy of Sciences Committee charged with reviewing and preparing a report on the science and technology capabilities of the U.S. Department of State.
Bill Foster, 11th Congressional District of Illinois
Congressman Bill Foster is a scientist and businessman representing the 11th Congressional District of Illinois. Bill’s scientific career was as a high-energy physicist and particle accelerator designer at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). Bill was a member of the team that discovered the top quark, the heaviest known form of matter. He also led the teams that designed and built several scientific facilities and detectors still in use today, including the Recycler Ring, the latest of Fermilab’s giant particle accelerators. When Bill first ran for Congress, his campaign was endorsed by 31 Nobel Prize Winners.
Porter Merriman, Director, Senior Corporate Counsel, Autodesk Inc.
With over 20 years of experience in Technology and Licensing law, Porter counsels the company on issues relating to the Manufacturing Industry and the company’s Design, Lifecycle, and Simulation products and services, with a special focus on technology development in advanced manufacturing. She has also led the Autodesk legal team in the company’s recent expansion into the CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) marketplace.
Tickets are still available for 3D Printing Politics. Register with code 3DCOM for 10% OFF.