Looming IP Issues With 3-D Printing

3D printing is on the verge of exploding, writes Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi attorney Bryan Vogel. He provides a brief primer on the new technologies and explores the kinds of intellectual property disputes that are likely to surface as they take hold. Patent disputes are likely, he says, but there are a number of factors in 3-D printing that could make patents difficult to defend. That leaves copyright protection, trade secrets, and trade dress and design patents. Each has its pluses and minuses.