Bambu Lab has launched a new program to protect creators’ content.
The “Creator Copyright Protection Program” is something long awaited by many designers. The amount of copying and design theft has been increasing recently, perhaps due to the rapid expansion of 3D printer sales. There’s also the points program on MakerWorld, which attracts some to try anything and everything to gain value.
The typical scenario would be something like this: a designer spends considerable time developing a unique 3D model, which they decide will be exclusively posted to MakerWorld. However, like any 3D model, once it’s downloaded, you have it.
This allows bad actors to capture the 3D model and upload it to other 3D model sites for monetization. If it was re-uploaded to MakerWorld under another name, Bambu Lab would be able to take quick and direct action, but the problem here is that the model is being sold somewhere else.
The new program, which has just launched in beta form, provides MakerWorld creators with resources to pursue users of their 3D models on other platforms. How does this work? Bambu Lab explains a recent case:
“MakerWorld reached out to the creator and obtained his authorization to take action. In cooperation with legal partners, the platform successfully facilitated the removal of two listings that infringed on his copyright.
MakerWorld, in cooperation with specialized partners, provides procedural support, coordinates reporting efforts, and assists with takedown requests and infringement reporting processes.”
In other words, Bambu Lab lawyers sent nasty notices to the other platforms, which got their attention. The reaction is usually different if a creator attempts to contact a platform. Creators often don’t have the resources to hire lawyers to do these actions, so having Bambu Lab provide them is an excellent perk of using MakerWorld.
Bambu Lab reports that over 100 creators have contacted them for this support, and so far over 200 takedowns have been achieved.
It seems that the program is working, at least at the small scale of their beta testing phase. The company plans to scale it up by gradually enabling more creators to participate. I am certain there are many creators that are eager to take part once they can.
This program may eventually cause a change in the situation. Imagine if you were another 3D model platform where perps were re-posting unauthorized content. You would receive dozens, maybe hundreds of takedown notices from Bambu Lab’s lawyers. After a time, wouldn’t you become more sensitive to this situation and implement some form of protection on your own platform?
It may be that over time, 3D model platforms gradually set up proper protection mechanisms for creators in a manner similar to Bambu Lab. Ideally, there should be a shared registry among model repositories where duplicates can be instantly identified, but that’s a story for another day.
Via Bambu Lab
