STL files

[martin goddard]

We are in the days of 3D printing.
The latest resin printers seem very good.
There are lots of STL files being sold.
An STL file allows the buyer to print out multiple prints of that file.

I observe that the file sellers  try to enforce a"personal use only" condition.
I would have thought this to be very hard or impossible to impose.
They are just trying to restrict printed amounts.

My logic is that I might print off 300 prints and sell 250 on bring and buys and Ebay. I might have printed 300 spearmen. Enjoyed using them in my games and then decided  to sell them on.
I think it would be impossible in UK law to prosecute someone for selling their own goods/prints second hand. 

Admittedly you might not advertise as a printing supplier, but any legal action would either fail due to cost, or never get to any stage of potential prosecution.
Is this going to be problem for STL file sellers or a business risk they can well afford to take?

It would be similar to Prince August moulds attempting to stop folk selling some figures to their friends. Hence why Prince August have not bothered with it.

Same applies to showing a DVD movie to an organised bachelor party or similar.
Too difficult, too minor for  legal action.

How do you think this matter will be resolved.
I still have a taped copy on VHS of a film. Police action imminent?

martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

I suspect that STL file values eroding as ever-better files and printers become available may be a bigger issue?

Simon

[Martin Smith]

>
I still have a taped copy on VHS of a film. Police action imminent?

martin

'Police Action Imminent' - was that starring Eddie Murphy?

[Moggy]

I think this will possibly evolve into a marketplace where virtually no-one gives good quality stl files for free. Will only be available by membership to an online club or something.  Yes will always be able to get the lower end market stuff and "second hand" files and doubt the cost of any legal action would make any form of economic sense to take.

Better to get a small amount from some than nothing from everyone I suppose.

Derek

[SimonC]

A popular method for monetisationof 3d sculptors is subscription based services(Patreon etc) where you don't purchase specific files but get all files made by the sculptor. IMHO it's too expensive (£7 per month ~) but is often the only way to get specific files. This doesn't get around any potential file sharing.

The cost is also a factor, most files are very little (cost) so it's easier to buy than pirate. Some folks will always want it free no matter what though.

My experience is actually the opposite in that I got rid of my printer and all the 3d prints ( I may have an odd one). The whole process is just too much effort, and the output is just too fragile for playing games.

For me, I have plenty of figures, and happy to buy metal, to paint so don't need access to cheap 3d prints

[Colonel Kilgore]

That's interesting, Simon, thanks for sharing.

I'm glad you've found your way back onto the path of righteousness (metal figures).

Simon