{"id":25599,"date":"2016-06-01T04:47:56","date_gmt":"2016-06-01T08:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=25599"},"modified":"2016-06-01T04:47:56","modified_gmt":"2016-06-01T08:47:56","slug":"new-whitepaper-on-3d-scanning-and-the-lack-of-copyright","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/new-whitepaper-on-3d-scanning-and-the-lack-of-copyright","title":{"rendered":"New Whitepaper on 3D Scanning and (the Lack of) Copyright"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"white-paper-3d-scanning-world-without-copyright-cover-small\"<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n

We are excited to announce a new whitepaper, 3D Scanning: A World Without Copyright*<\/a>.\u00a0 As the name suggests, the paper examines how 3D scanning intersects with copyright law.\u00a0 We are big fans<\/a> of 3D scanning here at Shapeways, and so we thought it was important to start a discussion around how copyright might impact all of the scans that are coming into the world.<\/p>\n

It may come as a surprise, but in many cases 3D scans will not be protected by copyright.\u00a0 That does not mean that scans are not important, but it does mean that people making and distributing scans should understand what rights they do \u2013 and do not \u2013 have in those scans.<\/p>\n

Why aren\u2019t the scans protected by copyright?\u00a0 One of the key requirements for copyright in the United States is originality. Even if it takes a large amount of skill to create a scan, if making the scan does not involve originality it is simply not eligible for copyright protection.<\/p>\n

The vast majority of scans fall squarely in that category.\u00a0 By definition, most 3D scans attempt to create a perfect digital replica of the model being scanned.\u00a0 Injecting \u201coriginal\u201d content that deviates from the object being scanned into that digital file would undermine the purpose of the scan.<\/p>\n

Again, lacking originality does not mean lacking skill.\u00a0 Making accurate 3D scans can be hard work, and there is a real difference between someone who knows what they are doing and an amateur.\u00a0 But without room for creative interpretation, the resulting scan is not eligible for copyright protection.<\/p>\n

Even without copyright, people making scans still have the ability to profit from and control their scans.\u00a0 Today many professional scanners charge for scanning services, and someone in possession of a scan file can charge someone else for access.\u00a0 This system seems to work; the ranks of professional scanners is swelling as 3D scanners become cheaper, better, and easier to use.\u00a0 These types of professional arrangements are strong because they are built on contracts which do not require copyright in order to be legally enforceable.<\/p>\n

A lack of copyright on scan files will also make it easier for designers to access and build upon digitized works.\u00a0 It means that the person who scans a 2,000 year old Roman sculpture does not suddenly pull part of that sculpture out of the public domain.\u00a0 Once the sculpture is digitized anyone is free to print their own copies to have at home or in classrooms, increasing access to our collective digital heritage.\u00a0 Furthermore, those scans can be freely remixed<\/a> into new interpretations of classic works.\u00a0 These scans can form the building blocks of all sorts of new creativity \u2013 new creativity that might itself be protected by copyright.<\/p>\n

It is also important to recognize that just because most 3D scans are beyond the scope of copyright does not mean that all 3D scans will be.\u00a0 Scans that do intentionally inject original, creative elements such as Geoffrey Mann\u2019s Shine<\/a> and Sophie Kahn\u2019s portraits<\/a> are likely to be eligible for copyright protection.\u00a0 And, of course, 3D scanning is relatively new and the law around it could evolve right along with the technology.<\/p>\n

Obviously we are going to keep our eye on this area of law and will do our best to update you as developments occur.\u00a0 If you are intrigued, I would encourage you to check out the new whitepaper here<\/a>.\u00a0 For a more EU-centered take on 3D scanning and copyright (especially in the context of access to cultural heritage), try this paper<\/a> by Professor Thomas Margoni.\u00a0 And, since our whitepaper is primarily written for a non-legal audience, if you are looking for a law review article that addresses many of these same issues keep your eyes peeled for an article by Paul Banwatt and Laura Robinson of Matter and Form<\/a> in a forthcoming edition of the Intellectual Property Journal.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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