CES on the Hill: Pinshape to Represent the 3D Printing Community & Intellectual Property Issues in Front of Congress

Whenever the intellectual property and copyright legalities start popping up in conversation regarding 3D design and 3D printing, most of us immediately and quietly think “why can’t we all just get along?”

There’s nothing more wonderful than a new discovery, a new technology, and a new world that’s able to experience its steep ascent into success and popularity awash in that special glow of being new and world-changing—before the legal system begins worming its way in.

Unfortunately, in a world where people are creating new and unique items that may be of use to the world in very important—and highly marketable—ways, copyrights are sometimes a must. I say sometimes because the 3D printing world is very sharing oriented, and the open source component lends itself to an awful lot of gray area and complication.

As 3D printing technology itself is growing at rapid speed, headlines—along with concerns—are beginning to grow in volume regarding intellectual property law and copyright issues. Obviously, the community can’t just bury its head in the sand. A voice is required. With that in mind, Pinshape, a 3D printing marketplace, will be present both to demonstrate and to represent the 3D printing community before Congress.

With headquarters in both Vancouver, Canada and San Francisco, California, Pinshape is a 3D printing community and marketplace that caters to both designers and makers. The startup specializes not only in 3D printing community retailing but also in “mitigating intellectual property risks through secure streaming technology.” While working to empower their designers and makers, they also endeavor to be a part of shaping the 3D printing community. This latest announcement makes a solid move in that direction.

This is a momentous occasion indeed for the 3D printing community as Pinshape will be at Consumer Electronic Association’s CES on the Hill on April 15 at the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. This event brings together:

• Members of Congress
• Hill staff
• Press
• Specially invited guests

For this event, Pinshape’s focus will be to demonstrate how policies are affecting and challenging the technology sectors, with a special discussion on 3D printing.

“As an online 3D printing marketplace, we’ve found ourselves in a position where we can educate and work with companies, brands and designers to help mitigate impending IP risks,” said Lucas Matheson, Pinshape CEO and co-founder. “We do this through secure streaming technology, and providing a collaborative platform for companies to work with designers to innovate new products.”

“We see an opportunity here for everyone to leverage the rapidly growing disruptive innovation that is 3D printing, and come out with ground-breaking products that would never have been possible before the advent of 3D printing.”

The presence of a dedicated and knowledgeable entity regarding 3D printing simply could not be more crucial, and Pinshape’s attendance offers the chance to keep the issues regarding technology and 3D printing at the forefront of politicians’—and everyone’s—minds, as so many industries are being positively affected and transformed, but with a variety of implications that must be considered.

“Our recent 3D printing design contest partnership with ELLE Time & Jewelry is a perfect example of how big brands are using communities like Pinshape to drive innovation,” said Matheson. “We’re entering a really exciting phase of 3D printing where companies are starting to leverage their existing IP and collaborating with 3D designers to create new products and derivative products online.”

Pinshape wants to encourage and educate all individuals in thinking about the level of IP tools that are required to propel growth ahead, rather than constraining or hindering it.

Discuss your thoughts on intellectual property law and copyrights regarding 3D printing and surrounding technology, and let us know your input on Pinshape’s upcoming attendance at Consumer Electronic Association’s CES on the Hill on April 15. Share with us in the Pinshape Represents 3D Printing Community forum over at 3DPB.com.